The low-growing shrub has clusters of thin, upright, bluish-green, pencil-like stems that grow in clumps to about three feet. The flowers are small, pinkish-white and occur in clusters on mostly leafless stems in spring through early summer. The common name of this plant means “little candle” because the stems are covered with a waxy substance. It suits raised planters, narrow planting strips, and small rock gardens. It can be planted alongside other low-water plants and succulents as an accent. This plant is native to the Trans-Pecos area of southwestern Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico, growing in Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila.

It is a moderate grower that thrives in full sun with plenty of reflected heat. This succulent needs little water once established, but benefits from occasional irrigation during the hot, dry summer. If the plant becomes scraggly, prune it heavily to the ground to hasten new growth.

A high-grade wax is produced by boiling the plant in large vats, a process seen on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. The wax has many uses, including making candles, soap, ointments, sealing wax, phonograph records, insulation material, shoe polish, floor polish, waterproofing, and lubricants.