Cotyledon adscendens is a succulent shrub with erect to spreading branches that bear green leaves with reddish margins in the upper half. It grows up to 1.8m tall. The leaves are flat, slightly concave, obovate to spatulate, up to 6cm long, and up to 2.5cm wide. Flowers are orange-red, up to 1cm in diameter, and appear in winter on up to 35cm tall inflorescence.
