Cacti are a favorite among plant lovers. These prickly companions get much love and don’t require a lot of attention for it. If this description sounds like a tattoo, you’d be right! Maybe it’s not your style to have a room full of green cactus friends, but you’ll surely love our list of top 20 cactus tattoo designs!

What does a cactus tattoo mean?

A desert cactus is the most resistant plant out there. So having a cactus tattoo might mean your endurance levels are off the charts! A cactus flower is often interpreted as unconditional motherly love, as it gives birth even in the harshest environments! Remember to always stay strong with a cactus tattoo! Beauty comes within!

What makes a cactus special?

Sometimes it’s hard to believe they are actual plants and not alien creatures from outer space. Cacti come in all shapes, sizes and colors, fit for everyone’s liking. They replaced a feebly stem for a fleshy one we all love and know today. That’s where they tucked away the water storage. As they have no need for leaves in a desert, they replaced them with those pesky thorns. Truly majestical plants to revere for their strength and defiance!

Watercolor Cactus Tattoo Traditional

Love the cactus plants that much? Why not get a tattoo of your favorite prickly pear cactus? It is one of the most popular ones and so should you be! The watercolor effect gives off an artistic vibe. This cactus tattoo design is best fit for an ankle or wrist placement.

Colorful Graphic Cactus Tattoo

Into art and potting plants? We have the perfect cactus tattoo ideas! Just look at this fun graphic design of the prickly pear cactus! Bold ink lines and a pop of color for flowers is all this cactus tattoo needs to stand out. These colors will look well on any skin tone, so just go for it!

Vibrant Potted Cactus Tattoo

Speaking of vibrant colors that highlight all skin tones, take a peek at this cactus tattoo! If you can’t decide which cactus is your favorite, just tattoo all of them! The fun design similar to illustrations you see on art social media, bring some colors into your life with this cactus design! Get it anywhere you see fit on your body.

Illustrative Desert Tattoo Cactus

You’re not the only one that feels like melting in the heat! Cacti get hot too! Why not consider tattooing this style of desert tattoos? The poor saguaro cactus wiggling beneath the desert sun is such a fun tattoo design. Add other desert elements like other cacti and an animal skull to complete the illustration.

Drawn Cactus Tattoo

This festive cactus tattoo design is like straight out of someone’s sketchbook! This tattoo will make any fan of the green friends happy! Add different colored flowers to the cactus for some symbolism. They can be simple like in the image or more complex, you choose!

Cactus In Desert Tattoo

Looking for small cactus tattoos to commemorate your love for these prickly green gems of nature? Then get this happy cactus tattoo! Its shape suggests it needs a hug from being lonely in the middle of a desert. Choose a gradient for the sky in the background and you’re good to go! This tattoo design works great for any placement.

Giant Cactus Tattoo

This giant, not so huggable, cactus is an iconic desert plant. Enduring the harshest environment on our planet, it stands as a symbol of tenacity. So why not get a tattoo of this symbolic prickly plant? The bold lines emphasize the thorns. Add a pop of color with a bright red sun in the background. Keep in mind the tattoo design is generally more expensive with more colors.

Cactus Potted In Skull Tattoo

Like to experiment with unusual ideas? Doesn’t get more weird than potting a cactus plant inside a skull! But it does make it a cool tattoo design! It doesn’t have to be this type of cactus, there are over a 1000 species out there. Pick an accent color for the skull pot and flowers, it can be something bright or subtle. Consult your tattoo professional before committing to the idea!

Cactus and Skull Tattoo

Hooked on our idea of skull and cactus tattoo? We have another crazy design in stock for you! This time the green prickly friend is oddly intertwined with the skull. Pick a colored ink for the skull shading, maybe something to starkly contrast with the green. This cactus tattoo design would look great on your arm or ankle!

Small Cactus Tattoo

Go big or go home isn’t applicable in the tattoo world! Just look at this cute cactus tattoo! The coloring style reminds us of colored pencil artwork. Afterall, tattoos are art! A small tattoo of a classic cactus is fit for any placement. Make time to decide on the final tattoo design before heading to a tattoo studio!

Small Cactus and Quote Tattoo

If you have a favorite quote about life, why not pair it with a gritty cactus? Cacti are held as a symbol of resistance. A mini cactus tattoo like this one still holds deep meaning, regardless of its size! Choose an interesting font for your meaningful quote to make the design stand out!

Tiny Cactus Scenery Tattoo

On a scale of sleeve to tiny, how tiny would you like to go with your tattoo? Because we have the sweetest little cactus tattoo design! Tattoo cactus desert scenery in two different colors of ink. This stylish graphic tattoo design is appropriate for anyone. Have it anywhere you think will look the coolest on your body!

Tiny Cactus Tattoo

Not satisfied with our previous choice for a tiny cactus tattoo? Then you must love this miniature simple cactus tattoo! Judging by the size and use of only black ink, this is a well affordable tattoo design. Adorable and simplistic, it works for any placement. If you’re a proud cactus mom, we suggest tattooing this one!

Angry Cactus Tattoo

Among countless cactus tattoo ideas, stand out with this angry cactus tattoo! Be ready to fight with the boxing cactus as a tattoo design. Done almost exclusively with black ink, this unusual cactus resembles a sticker. If it’s perfect for your laptop or suitcase, it most certainly is on your body too! Opt for a colored cactus flower, preferably in your favorite color!

Black Ink Cactus Tattoo

A fan of the prickly plant, but don’t think green suits you? Get this black ink cactus tattoo! Choose a couple of differently shaped cacti to make the design more interesting. All the shading is done with tiny dots. Talk about needles! We think this kind of tattoo best fits a shoulder or leg placement.

Black and White Cactus In Desert Tattoo

If you yourself are a symbol of endurance, then this black and white cactus tattoo is yours for the taking! Use white ink for highlights on the cactus and for background elements. The perspective shift makes it as if you’re in the desert tattoo itself!

Cactus Lady Tattoo

Have you ever seen a more unique cactus tattoo? Imagine having a cactus head. Talk about prickly thoughts! With such a cool design, no need for oversaturating with colors. Think of getting this black ink spicy cactus lady as a tattoo this month!

Heart of Cactus Tattoo

On the topic of unconventional cactus tattoos, we present you with this design! Is it a heart-shaped cactus or a cactus’ heart? We don’t know either! But what we do know is it’s a creative cactus tattoo deserving of your attention. Cacti evolved to thrive in the most heartbreaking conditions. If you’re that type of person, get this heart cactus flower tattoo!

Tiger Cactus Tattoo

Anyone else afraid of this possessed cactus? Noone? Another inventive take on a classic cactus tattoo is this tiger cactus design. Show off your inner prickly beast with this one! Ideal anywhere from your calf muscle to back, be different and be fierce with a tiger cactus tattoo!

Bandit Cactus Tattoo

Imagine getting mugged by a bandit cactus? Sounds like the beginning of an unfunny joke! It also sounds like an awesome tattoo! Put your hands up with this bandit cactus tattoo! Choose a contrasting color for the mask and go rob, I mean call, your trusty tattoo shop!

Having Said All That

We hope you enjoyed the cactus tattoo hours we prepared! Your search for best cactus tattoos ends here! Scroll through our list of top 20 cactus tattoo ideas for inspiration and call your tattoo artists today! Add cactus flowers to the design for any unconditional love you’re willing to give. A fun tattoo for both plant lovers and other alike, have this one done if you’re a survivor!