Cephalocereus tetetzo grows in a columnar with mostly branching shoots and reaches heights of up to 15 meters.

The 15 to 20 blunt ribs are slightly rounded with black spines.

The bell- to funnel-shaped whitish flowers 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long appear near the tips of the shoots.

Its pericarpel and flower tube are covered with tubercles, scales, wool and bristles.

[2] Cephalocereus tetetzo is distributed in the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca.