Solitary or sparsely branching cylindrical stems. Radial spines, straight or slightly curved, lie close in two nearly pectinate series, white, beige, dull pink, brown, or purplish-black. Central spines often absent. Fragrant dark-purple flowers, 5–7 cm wide.

Echinocereus reichenbachii is cold-hardy and endures severe frost as long as it is kept dry.