Phylica ericoides is a small, evergreen, branched shrub with erect stems. It may grow to a height of 1 m. Clusters of the small white flowerheads are present at branch tips throughout the year, more in winter. The flowerheads are based on small involucres of tiny scale-like bracts.

The leaves are dark green and heath-like; narrow to needle-like with the edges rolled under.

The distribution ranges from the west coast fynbos along the coastal and montane regions of the Western Cape south coast into the Eastern Cape. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Bean & Johns, 2005; www.redlist.sanbi.org).