The Only Plants You'll Never Forget to Water
These seven simple paper succulent designs are the perfect beginner paper craft project — and proof that a gorgeous green thumb doesn't require a single drop of water. Made from cardstock or even text weight paper, these little plants come together quickly and look stunning whether you display them solo or combine them into a lush arrangement.
Project Includes
Cutting Machine Template Printable TemplateTools
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We originally released four of these succulent patterns and loved them so much that we added three more designs to bring extra texture and height to our Pretty Paper Succulent Centerpiece. Together, the seven patterns give you everything you need to create realistic arrangements with beautiful variety.
What makes these succulents such a favorite? They're endlessly forgiving for beginners, they look incredible grouped together, and — best part — they will never shrivel up on you. For anyone with a busy schedule and a love of greenery, paper succulents are the answer.
Once you've made your first few, the possibilities keep going. Try them in a DIY Succulent Wreath, as a Succulent Heart Wall Art piece, or styled into a Succulent Arrangement. If you're brand new to paper plants, our video tutorial for making paper succulents and air plants walks you through every step.
Download the template below as a PDF pattern or SVG cutting machine file and start crafting your own little desert garden.
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38 Comments
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Judy
March 5, 2026 at 6:59am
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Lia
March 5, 2026 at 10:35am
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kimberly
March 10, 2021 at 5:12pm
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Lia
March 11, 2021 at 5:54am
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Myra
March 14, 2019 at 7:31am
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Lia
March 14, 2019 at 8:41am
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vonda
March 8, 2019 at 4:25am
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Lia
March 8, 2019 at 1:26pm
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Valerie
April 5, 2018 at 10:00am
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Lia
April 5, 2018 at 10:09am
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Ruth
February 24, 2018 at 6:23am
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Lia
February 26, 2018 at 3:23pm
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Nemo
October 16, 2016 at 3:40pm
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Lia
October 17, 2016 at 7:50am
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Melissa
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Lia
October 4, 2016 at 9:11am
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Sarah
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Lia
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lauren
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Lia
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Lia
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Erin
February 28, 2016 at 7:00pm
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Lia
March 9, 2016 at 4:52pm
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Angelica
May 19, 2020 at 1:25pm
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Lia
May 20, 2020 at 8:52am
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Karen
October 5, 2015 at 11:03am
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Lia
October 5, 2015 at 11:34am
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dao
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Lia
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Susan
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Lia
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Lia
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Lia
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Leave a CommentWhere can I find the paper to make these? When I go to My Minds Eye it says sold out. Or, can you please tell me what weight cardstock I need for succulents?
Thank you!
Thank you for pointing this out, Judy. We are working to update all of our original projects, and this is a good one. I have updated the links for you. Let me know if there is anything else you need. Happy crafting!
I cannot seem to get the grey succulent to look right. If I slide all the leaves under the wire fold, they all stack up on each other in a row but yours in the photo looks nice and spread out. Should I be turning each one somehow? I tried to do that but didn’t seem to work either. Appreciate some tips! thanks
Yes! You want to stagger each layer so they’re not all lined up.
I’m new to using a cutting machine.I have a brother scan and cut am I able to use the SVG file in my machine?
Hi Myra! Yes our SVG files are compatible with the Scan N Cut.
where do you find the paper for the succulants
There’s a link in the post to the paper stack available from My Mind’s Eye 🙂
Hello!
I’m sorry if this seems obvious but how would I go about using the PDF file to hand cut the templates?
Hi Valerie! You can place the template over the paper you’re using to make the succulents, then cut it out. Or, you can cut the shape out from the template, place it over the paper and then trace it. OR, you can print the template directly on the paper you’re using, if it’s 8.5×11 🙂
I was searching for a printable set of directions for the seven Succulents. The tutorial is great, but I would like a printed version. Is this available?
Hi Ruth, we don’t have printable directions for some of our older posts (like this one). We’re working on updating them as we can! In the meantime, you can save the photo tutorial image that print that for reference.
What type of paper do you use for these and what weight? Thank you!!
Look for “Shop this project” at the end of the post– there’s a link to the exact paper used in the kit. But of course, you can use whatever colors inspire you!
I am confused…the SVG templates look much smaller than those in the PDF version. How do I know what size to make them?
When you upload the file into Design Space, they should be the correct size (we just checked!)
Does this pattern work with felt? I’m wanting to make felt succulents for a party, but I want to be sure the pattern will work before I buy!
Thanks!
We actually have a few felt succulent patterns on our site! Here are the links to those projects 🙂
https://liagriffith.com/felt-succulent-pumpkin-centerpiece/
https://liagriffith.com/felt-succulent-tutorial-part-1/
https://liagriffith.com/felt-succulent-tutorial-part-2/
https://liagriffith.com/felt-succulent-vertical-garden/
https://liagriffith.com/fall-felt-succulent-decor/
how do you get a card stock
We find ours at our local craft stores and also online at paper-papers.com!
Love these little succulents, would LOVE to see a paper air plant design as well!
That’s a great idea! I’ll add it to our idea board 🙂
What gauge of floral wire do you use to make the flowers? I am struggling to find the right thickness!
Thanks
I really like 18 gauge. You can find it at Amazon in tubes.
Does it have to be 18 gauge?
Hi Angelica,
We would recommend at least 18 gauge to help with stability.
So much fun! I made a few of the new shapes and tucked them into my existing wreath! I love the floral wire as a base too! They are a wee bit addicting! Thank you once again!
Great idea! Yes, the wire is helpful and we find that it makes it easy to move them around when we need them for another project. 😉
Hi Lia,
I’m new to Cricuit. I have the Cricut Explorer Air. Do I open the Cricut Design Space and grab your svg file after download? Then it will let me separate the individual succulent to be printed in different color?
Thank you,
Dao
Yes, it will let you cut in different colors. Here is a link to a video showing how to upload it https://liagriffith.com/cricut-explore-uploading-a-jpg-or-svg-file/
Will you ever have the PDFs for the succulents as a free download?
Probably not:( It is one of our most popular patterns and is selling on sites Etsy and Design Space for around $5 for one pattern.
These are fantastic, can the files be used with the cricut explore ?
Yes, the SVG files are ready for you to upload into the machine.
How do I shop this post? The link seems broken? Just want to know where you got the paper. Soooo pretty! Love your style and presentation! Thanks for the creative inspiration!
There is a My Mind’s Eye text link that will take you to the paper kit.
Hi Lia will the cut files for the three new succulents be available on Cricut Design Space….thanks 🙂
No, they are ALL available right here on the site. Yay!! They are on the centerpiece post and I will add them to this one too.
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