Banksia viscida grows as a small, dense, rounded shrub no more than 1 metre (3 ft) high.

Its leaves are 15 to 35 centimetres (5.9 to 14 in) long and 5 to 10 millimetres (0.20 to 0.39 in) wide; they are pinnatifid, with 25 to 75 triangular lobes on each side.

[1][3] For some time prior to formal publication it was recognised as a new species, and was referred to by the interim name Dryandra sp.

[1][2] Early in 2007, Austin Mast and Kevin Thiele transferred all Dryandra taxa to Banksia.

Tony Cavanagh and Margaret Pieroni suggest that as a compact shrub with attractive foliage it would be best suited to a small garden.

It requires warm, dry weather with near full sun, and heavy well drained soils.