It is notable for its showy orange, red or purple flowers, unusual foliage and fruit, and is a popular garden plant.

The flowers appear from late winter to summer (July to December) and are followed by fruit which are woody capsules 4.2–7.2 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, shaped like a squashed urn and arranged in alternating pairs along the stems.

[7][8] The specific epithet (fulgens) is derived from a Latin adjective meaning "bright-coloured" or "shining" and is related to the showy flowers.

[3][6] Three subspecies are recognised, differentiated mainly by the length of their stamen filaments and from their distributions: This melaleuca is found in a broad area across Western Australia, from Kalbarri to the vicinity of Kalgoorlie, south to the southern coastline and in the border areas with South Australia and the Northern Territory, growing on sandy or gravelly soils, often on granite outcrops.

[15] Melaleuca fulgens was introduced into cultivation in the United Kingdom in 1803[2] and is commonly grown in Australian gardens, with several hybrids also available.