How to Draw a Cactus (Easy Step by Step)
A cactus is one of the friendliest things to draw because it is mostly a tall rounded shape with two bendy arms. This one sits in a pot, wears a little flower on top, and has a happy face. You only need a tall rounded shape, a bucket shape, and a few dots and dashes.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a cactus step by step
How to Draw a Cactus · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The cactus body
Draw a tall rounded shape like a long pill or a tunnel, with a curved top and two straight sides going down. Leave the bottom open for now.
Step 3: The pot rim
Near the bottom of the cactus, draw a wide flat line across, joining the two bottom ends of the cactus sides. Turn each end of the line down in a short curve.
Step 4: The pot
Under the rim, draw a straight line across, then draw two slanted sides that get closer together and finish with a flat rounded bottom. It looks like a bucket.
Step 5: The two arms
Draw an arm on each side of the cactus, shaped like a tall skinny U lying against the body. Start on the body, go out sideways, curve up and over the top, then come back down to touch the body.
Step 6: The top flower
On top of the cactus, draw a small flower with three bumpy petals, like a little crown sitting on the head.
Step 7: Face and spines
Add two round dots for eyes and a small curvy smile below and between them. Then add a few little short dashes on the cactus for its prickles.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your cactus? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a sun or how to draw a rain cloud next.
Tips for drawing a cactus
- Draw the two sides of the body so they look about the same width from top to bottom. Light guide lines can help you keep them straight.
- The arms are the trickiest part. Start each one on the body, go out sideways, curve up and over, and come back to the body. Try to make both arms about the same height.
- Make the prickle dashes short and spread them out. Leave some space between them so the cactus does not look messy.
Free cactus coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this cactus coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your cactus drawing
Color the cactus in two or three greens, the pot in terracotta orange, and the flower in bright pink. For a creative twist, give your cactus a pot with stripes or polka dots.
Cactus fun fact for kids
Cactus spines are really special leaves. They help the plant stay cool, give it some shade, and keep hungry animals away. Many cacti also store water inside their thick stems so they can live in very dry places.
Questions about drawing a cactus
What shapes do I need to draw a cactus?
You need a tall rounded shape for the body, a tall skinny U shape for each arm, a flat band for the pot rim, and a bucket shape for the pot. A bumpy little crown makes the flower, and dots and short dashes finish the face and prickles.
How do I make my cactus look cuter?
Put the eyes wide apart and a little low on the body, then add a small smile below and between them. A flower on top and arms reaching up make it look extra happy.
How do I draw the arms so they match?
Start both arms on the body, then draw them curving up to about the same height. They do not have to match perfectly, since a little bit of difference makes your cactus look friendly.
