Cleistocactus strausii grows as a shrub, slender, erect, branches out from the base with several upright, with gray-green columns growing up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall, but only about 6 cm (2.5 in) across, which are covered in white spines. The light green shoots reach a diameter of up to 8 cm (3.1 in) and are completely covered by dense, white spines. There are 25 to 30 ribs and are densely covered with areoles, supporting four yellow-brown spines up to 4 cm (1.5 in) long and 20 shorter white radials. The approximately 4 central spines are light yellow and up to 2 centimeters long. The 30 to 40 white radial spines are hairy to bristly and 1.5 to 5 centimeters long. - In Stock