Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus stems are green when young but otherwise light brown, and they usually have a covering of very short, soft hairs, as do the leaves. Stems and leaves are sticky. Leaves may angle outwards or upwards, staying close to the stem. They are usually twisted, by up to three full revolutions, and may have wavy and/or ciliate margins. The inflorescence is a dense, rounded cluster of cylindrical flowerheads.