DIY Cactus Wreath

I love making wreaths, so when my friend Amanda asked if I could come up with a cactus wreath for a cactus-themed baby shower she was hosting, I happily accepted the challenge! The result was this prickly pear cactus wreath inspired by wreaths I’ve seen in San Antonio using real cactus pads. However, for the Design Improvised version, we’re using paper plates. 🙂 They are nice and sturdy, have a bit of a curve to them that makes the cactus pads seem more lifelike…and the price is right!

Make this prickly pear cactus wreath from paper plates!

For those of you loving the cactus trend, this is the wreath for you! It could be a fun addition to a door year-round, an alternative to the traditional holiday wreath, and cactus party decor.

Amanda’s cactus themed baby shower turned out so cute, and in addition to the wreath, my cactus balloons made an appearance!

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Supplies for DIY Cactus Wreath

Foam wreath form
Green paper plates (you’ll need about 20 plates)
Green ribbon (or green party streamers)
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Sharpie marker
Optional: pink pom-poms or crepe paper flowers

How to Make a Prickly Pear Wreath

Step 1. Wrap wreath with ribbon

Wrap the wreath form in green ribbon or green crepe paper (the least expensive option!) or ribbon and secure the end with a dab of glue.

Step 2. Cut out center of paper plates

Cut off the rim of the paper plates, leaving the center part. You will be able to make two cactus pads from this center piece.

Step 3. Cut out cactus paddles

Free-hand cut two cactus pads from a paper plate and draw a few spikes on it with a black marker.

Prickly pear pads made out of paper plates

Step 4. Glue pads to wreath

Once you’ve made around 35 cactus pads you can add them to the wreath form with a dab of hot glue on the bottom of the back side. I layered mine in groups of twos around the wreath to mimic the look of this wreath.

Step 5. Add cactus flowers

If you want you can embellish with a few cactus “flowers”. I ended up making a few simple crepe paper streamer flowers and adding them to the top of a few cactus pads with a dab of hot glue. Finish by hanging with a pretty ribbon (my choice is pom-pom ribbon of course)!