It is a large shrub with narrow leaves and heads of white or cream-coloured flowers in spring.

Melaleuca xerophila is a large shrub or small spreading tree which grows to a height of 3–6 m (10–20 ft) and has fibrous or papery bark.

[2][3] Melaleuca xerophila was first formally described in 1988 by Bryan Barlow in Australian Systematic Botany.

[4][5] The specific epithet (xerophila) is derived from the Ancient Greek words ξερός (xeros), meaning “dry”[6]: 285  and φίλος (phílos), meaning “dear one" or "friend”,[6]: 355  referring to the arid habitat of this species.

[3][7] Melaleuca xerophila is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.