They occur singly or in groups of up to four, forming small heads up to 20 mm (0.8 in) in diameter, mostly at or near the ends of the branches.

[2][3] Melaleuca pulchella was first formally described in 1812 by Robert Brown, the description published by William Aiton in Hortus Kewensis.

[4][5] The specific epithet (pulchella) is the Latin adjective pulchellus meaning "very pretty" (diminutive of pulcher),[6] referring to the flowers of this species.

[2] Melaleuca pulchella occurs along Western Australia's south coast, from Hopetoun to Israelite Bay[2][3] in the Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions.

[8] Melaleuca pulchella is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.