This project is beginner-friendly if you are comfortable with basic crochet stitches such as single crochet, increase, decrease, slip stitch, chain, and the magic circle. The written leaf pattern below follows the video tutorial and uses US crochet terminology.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: 4-ply fine-weight, 100% cotton yarn
- Crochet hook: 2.5 mm
- Stitch marker: used to mark the beginning of each round
- Hot glue gun: used in the video to assemble the leaf layers
- Yarn needle / crochet hook: useful for handling and securing yarn tails
- Scissors: for cutting the yarn tails
The video demonstrates hot-glue assembly, but the leaves can also be sewn together.
Free Crochet Faux Succulent Leaf Pattern
The succulent is made from individual crochet leaves. Each leaf is worked in the round from the center using a magic circle. The leaf starts narrow, increases to 12 stitches, stays at the same stitch count for two rounds, and then decreases to create the pointed shape.
Abbreviations — US Crochet Terms
- MR — Magic Ring / Magic Circle
- ch — Chain
- sc — Single Crochet
- inc — Increase: 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch
- dec — Decrease: single crochet decrease worked through the front loops of the next 2 stitches
- sl st — Slip Stitch
| Round | Written Pattern | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Make a magic circle. Ch 1. Work 6 sc into the center of the magic circle. Pull the starting tail to close. | 6 sc |
| 2 | Sc in each stitch around. | 6 sc |
| 3 | (Sc in next stitch, inc in next stitch) × 3. | 9 sc |
| 4 | (Sc in next 2 stitches, inc in next stitch) × 3. | 12 sc |
| 5 | Sc in each stitch around. | 12 sc |
| 6 | Sc in each stitch around. | 12 sc |
| 7 | (Sc in next 2 stitches, dec over the front loops of the next 2 stitches) × 3. | 9 sc |
| 8 | (Sc in next stitch, dec over the front loops of the next 2 stitches) × 3. | 6 sc |
Finish the Leaf
Remove the stitch marker. In the next stitch, make a slip stitch and tighten it slightly. Make chain 1, then cut the yarn leaving a 2–3 inch tail. Pull the loop completely through to make a knot. This completes one succulent leaf.
How Many Leaves Do You Need?
For the finished succulent shown in the tutorial, make 12 leaves in total.
- First layer: 3 leaves
- Second layer: 4 leaves
- Third layer: 5 leaves
The tutorial also explains that the succulent can be customized. To make a larger succulent, add more leaves to additional layers and adjust the arrangement to suit your preferred shape.
Assembling the Crochet Succulent Leaves
Arrange the leaves into three layers before permanently attaching them. The video shows the leaves being attached with a hot glue gun because it makes assembly easier. Sewing the leaves together is another option.
Layer 1 — 3 Leaves
Arrange three leaves around the center to form the first layer. Adjust the leaves after attaching them so the shape looks balanced.
Layer 2 — 4 Leaves
Attach four leaves to form the second layer. In the tutorial, the leaves are connected from approximately round 5 through round 8. Connecting them closer to round 4 brings the leaves closer together, but the petals will look less open.
Layer 3 — 5 Leaves
Attach five leaves to create the third and top layer. Use only a small amount of hot glue. The tutorial specifically recommends using the minimum amount of glue to avoid visible glue traces on the leaves.
Joining the Three Layers
Once all three layers are assembled, stack them on top of one another. The layers can be connected with a small amount of glue or by using the yarn tails left from the individual layers.
The tutorial demonstrates securing the layers with knots using the tail ends, then positioning the leaves with small dabs of glue. A crochet hook can be used to pull the remaining yarn tails through the layers before securing the base.
After the succulent is fully assembled, secure the knot at the base, add a small amount of glue if needed, and trim the excess yarn tails.
Make the Crochet Flower Pot
The succulent is designed to sit on a crochet flower pot. The step-by-step pot pattern is provided in a separate tutorial on the YouTube channel.
Click here to watch the step-by-step crochet flower pot tutorial.
Once the pot is complete, the succulent can be attached in different ways. The video shows the option of placing a little glue on the top of the flower pot and securing the succulent directly on top. Make sure the leaves are attached securely at the base and that the succulent sits in the center of the pot.
How to Crochet a Faux Succulent Desk Buddy
This crochet faux succulent is a fun desk decoration for people who love handmade plants but want a small craft project that does not require caring for a real plant. The finished piece can be displayed on a desk, shelf, craft table, or workspace.
The project is especially useful as a small handmade gift idea because the succulent can be customized by changing yarn colors, adding more leaves, or changing the pot design.
Tips for a Neat Crochet Succulent
- Mark every round: Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
- Check stitch counts: The leaf should have 6 stitches in rounds 1–2, 9 in round 3, 12 in rounds 4–6, 9 in round 7, and 6 in round 8.
- Keep your tension consistent: Consistent stitches help the leaves maintain a similar shape.
- Keep the starting tail inside: The tutorial turns the work outward after round 2 so the starting tail remains inside the leaf.
- Use minimal glue: Small amounts are enough to hold the layers together and help keep the finished succulent clean.
- Adjust the layers: Add additional leaves if you want a larger or fuller succulent.
Video Tutorial
Prefer learning crochet by watching each stitch? Follow the full step-by-step video tutorial here:
Watch the crochet faux succulent tutorial on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you crochet a faux succulent?
Make 12 crochet leaves using the 8-round leaf pattern in this post. Arrange 3 leaves in the first layer, 4 in the second layer, and 5 in the third layer. Assemble the layers and attach the finished succulent to the crochet flower pot.
How many crochet leaves are needed for this succulent?
The succulent shown in the tutorial uses 12 leaves: 3 leaves for the first layer, 4 leaves for the second layer, and 5 leaves for the third layer.
What yarn and crochet hook are used?
The tutorial uses 4-ply fine-weight 100% cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm crochet hook.
What crochet stitches are used for the succulent leaf?
The leaf uses a magic circle, chain, single crochet, single crochet increases, single crochet decreases, and a slip stitch. The decrease is worked through the front loops of the next two stitches.
Can I make the succulent bigger?
Yes. The tutorial explains that you can add more leaves to additional layers and customize the arrangement according to the design you want.
Can I sew the crochet succulent leaves instead of using hot glue?
Yes. The video uses a hot glue gun because it makes assembly easier, but the leaves can also be sewn together.
How do I make the crochet flower pot?
The flower pot is made using a separate step-by-step tutorial on the channel. Use the link in the pot section above to continue to that tutorial.
Made Your Own Crochet Succulent?
I would love to see your finished crochet faux succulent! Share your work on Instagram and tag me.
Pattern note: This written leaf pattern is transcribed from the supplied tutorial script. The separate crochet flower pot construction is not included here because the supplied script refers viewers to a separate pot tutorial rather than providing its row-by-row pot pattern.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, please share, comment, and try this pattern. Happy Crocheting! 💕
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