"E. reichenbachii" is one of the smaller "Echinocereus" species. They reach tall and wide. Plants are solitary or clustered in as many as 12, with erect stems that have 10 to 19 ribs. The stems are dark green and often obscured by the spines, which range from tan, brown, black, or pink, and the tips are usually darker than the shaft. The areoles are elliptical or oval, with seven to 36 spines each. The purple or pink flowers bloom in early May to late June, growing to approximately by . "E. reichenbachii" are cold and heat tolerant, and prefer dry, well-drained soils near rock outcroppings.