Turn Pool Noodles Into Unique Faux Cactus Decor With This Creative DIY

Cacti plants are a unique home décor item to display and a go-to finishing touch loved by the stars of HGTV's "Good Bones." They're often overlooked when folks are filling their spaces with greenery because people tend to stick to houseplants that are easier to grow. If you don't have the greenest thumb but want a prickly plant in your home, DIYing faux cacti can make your plant dreams come true, and this DIY uses everyone's favorite DIY product: pool noodles. The foam noodles are tall, which is ideal for a faux cactus.

The DIY comes from YouTuber @diylilyardor3435, who claims the faux cactus project is more challenging than it seems. If you're a DIY beginner, you might find this project a lot harder than an intermediate or advanced skilled DIYer. Nonetheless, it's a fun DIY that will elevate your room. Plus, we'll walk you through the process to achieve the perfect pool noodle cactus plant and give you a few tips to make the process easier.

First, you'll need adequate tools and materials to give your foam noodles a more realistic cactus look. You'll need two pool noodles of different lengths, a terracotta pot, foam sealant spray, Plaster of Paris, two dowels, dark green paint, light green paint, a mixing bowl, and two paintbrushes. If you've never worked with sealant or plaster, swap out those materials for plastic bottles and rocks to place in your pot. In addition, skip the paint for toothpicks for the prickly effect.

The faux cactus plant has to be leveled and secure, so using the dowels and sealant will help keep the pool noodles in place. Using tape first to map out where to put the dowels is helpful. Once you level your dowels, fill half the pot with sealant and let it dry overnight. If you're not using sealant, place the noodles inside the pot, fill it with plastic bottles, and add large rocks to keep them in place. Remove the tape and slide the noodles over the dowels when dry. Then fill the noodles with sealant from the top to be glued to the dowels. You can create cactus hands with the foam sealant by spraying small blobs on plastic wrap.

Shape the noodles to give the cactus look by cutting out vertical indentations all around. The best tool to cut pool noodles with is a utility knife. Repeat on the hands. Then, cover the entire surface with plaster. After it dries, paint the whole cacti dark green, then add contrast with light green on the edges. Give a prickly look by gluing on paintbrush bristles with Modge Podge. Finally, hot glue the hands to the cacti, and you're done! If you don't want to use a paintbrush for the prickling look, insert toothpicks. Toothpicks can be harmful, so keep them away from children. Lastly, add faux flowers to enhance the look.