Adult leaves are arranged alternately, thick, dull, grey-green and lance-shaped with a hook-like tip.

[2][4][5] Eucalyptus decipiens was first formally described in 1837 by the botanist Stephan Endlicher from a specimen collected near King Georges Sound by Charles von Hügel.

The description was published in the book Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus Liber Baro de Hügel.

[6][7] The specific epithet (decipiens) is derived from the Latin word decipio meaning "to beguile" or "to cheat"[8]: 807  but the reason Endlicher gave this name is not clear, but may refer to its similarity to another species.

[9] Redheart is found on sandplains, hills and along the edges of swamps in the Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia growing in clay, loam or sandy soils over laterite.