Euphorbia globosa is a dwarf succulent composed of usually round, scaly, green-grey spherical bodies, growing in circular clusters. This succulent has a spreading growth form when found in its natural habitat (Court 2010), with a hidden underground stem. In cultivation, the plant tends to grow upwards, seemingly like connected beads. The branches emerge at ground level, composed of an elongated structure made up of connected marble-like bodies. As a mechanism to reduce water loss, as in many succulents, the plant lacks proper developed leaves and has few, small leaves.

The inflorescence is borne on a noticeable stalk extending from the spherical body, with a crown-like structure called a cyathium.

The greenish, 10 mm in diameter cyathium, with bright yellowish tips, is made up of several reduced male flowers encircling the female flower. The cyathium houses numerous glands.

Flowering takes place in spring, and gives rise to a smooth, curved, fruit capsule. The fruit bursts open to release seeds.

Euphorbia globosa is a slow-growing and long-lived plant.