[2] Cleistocactus candelilla grows as a shrub with erect to splaying shoots that are branched at the base and reaches heights of growth of up to 1 meter (rarely up to 3 meters) with a diameter of 3 to 5 centimeters.

They are straight or slightly curved, projecting more or less horizontally, and are covered with few scales and inconspicuous hairs.

The light salmon-pink fruits reach a diameter of up to 10 millimeters.

Cleistocactus candelilla is found in the Bolivian departments of Cochabamba, Potosí and Santa Cruz at altitudes of 1300 to 2600 meters.

A nomenclature synonym is Echinopsis candelilla (Cárdenas) Anceschi & Magli (2013).