Penstemon cerrosensis grows between 10 and 40 centimeters tall with stems that are quite woody near the base, but otherwise herbaceous.

[1] Stems branch near their bases, are hairless, and glaucous; covered in natural waxes giving a grayish or bluish color.

[5] The funnel shaped fused flower petals reach 12–15 millimeters in length and are bright scarlet in color.

[9][8] The natural range of Penstemon cerrosensis is restricted to Isla Cedros in the Pacific Ocean just off the west coast of the Baja California peninsula.

[12] It is part of the canyon slope scrub community on the island, which is dominated by shrubs like redberry buckthorn (Rhamnus crocea ssp.

insula), Cedros Island sage (Salvia cedrosensis), and Baja desert-thorn (Lycium brevipes).