The bright green cactus statue in the middle of Perth’s CBD has become an unlikely cultural icon, with a growing online community planning to gather at the cactus on April 18.

Officially named ‘Grow Your Own,’ the sculpture was created by New York based artist James Angus and was unveiled in Forrest Place in 2011. 

It cost over $1M to build and install. Mr Angus’ cactus was selected ahead of 202 other entries, and was immediately met with mixed opinions. 

Fourteen years later, it is now about to host its own ‘worshipping’ event. 

Social media creator Bradley Innes, known online for street style interviews, is organising the event and drawing hundreds of interested attendees, with some reports of interstate visitors flying in for the occasion.

Mr Innes says the prize for the most devoted worshipper will be a framed $20 note, complemented by a printed photo of the iconic cactus.

“It sort of makes it more of a grand prize rather than just twenty bucks, even though it’s a three dollar frame,” he says.

He says his preparation for the day has been very considered, planning to arrive with a megaphone and a milk crate. He will also be shaving his head at the cactus to support Variety, the Children’s Charity.

“If you have really long hair you can cut it, chuck it in a bag, send it over east, and they’ll turn it into wigs for sick kids,” he says.

Among those planning to attend is Ali Kamal, who on request, describes himself as a “cactus elitist”.

His plan for winning the $20 is simple.

“I’m gonna drench myself in green paint because I really need the money,” he says.

“I’m gonna get on my knees, I’m gonna scream at the cactus to bless everybody, to bless my soul. Eternally, I believe the cactus can do anything and everything for us.”

For Mr Kamal, who moved to Perth from Egypt, the event speaks to a particular quality of the city.

“Barely anything happens in Perth, and the cactus is the one thing that kind of stands out, it stands out in a way that you wouldn’t really expect,” he says.

“It’s just really funny that it’s in the middle of the city for no reason and nobody knows why. It’s been over time accepted and adopted as one of Perth’s finest.”

Mr Innes agrees that the cactus’ lack of meaning is why it’s significant.

“I think if it was an actual well respected art piece, I’d probably get a lot more shit. But just because it is the cactus, that’s why so many people are like, oh yeah, that’s kind of funny,” he says. 

Edith Cowan University senior lecturer Dr Laura Glitsos says the phenomenon is actually very significant for the community.

“Anything that bridges the virtual and physical divides of the community, I’m very, very keen to see happen,” she says.

She also points out the irony in worshipping the famous cactus.

“A cactus has actually long been worshipped in ritual, especially indigenous cultures where cacti can have hallucinogenic or psychotropic effects. It’s kind of joining a very long line of tradition in ritual and belongingness.”

The event has drawn conversations about Perth’s landscape, though Dr Glitsos is careful not to critique the city.

“It’s become a bit of an endearing quality of Perth that we have less public or community art and sculpture than perhaps places like Sydney or Melbourne, although that is changing very quickly, and I don’t think it’s as fair a judgement as it used to be,” she says.

The worshipping event at ‘Grow Your Own’ is scheduled to take place on April 18 at Forrest Place at 1pm. Event organiser Bradley Innes has an important message for those planning on attending.

“Be safe, be respectful, it’s all for the love of the game. And no politics. It’s a pure event. It’s got to stay based.”