The young stems of Lasiosiphon deserticola may start off pale green, before soon turning dull red. Where the leaves drop off, often not too far below the branch tip, there is roughness on the grey stem surface caused by the small scars they leave.

Old stems become paler grey and woody. Hairiness is only found on the young stems (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).