Barleria lichtensteiniana is a trailing herb up to 200 mm high. The stems grow out of a woody rootstock and are covered with white hairs. The leaves are lanceolate and both sides are covered with hairs, which gives the leaves a grey-silky appearance. The leaf margins are entire and the leaf tapers into a long petiole. The inflorescence consists of 3–6 mauve flowers, densely packed, and the middle flower always opening first. The corolla is 2-lipped;the upper lip is 4-lobed and the lower lip 1-lobed.

The calyx lobes (outermost sterile appendix of a flower) are ovate and covered with hairs and the network of veins is very prominent. The margins and apex of the posticous lobe (lobe closest to the stem), are spiny and the margins of the anticous lobe (lobe facing away from the stem) are entire and the apex not spiny.

The bracteoles (secondary bracts) are oblong, covered with long hairs and the margins and apex are spiny. The bracteoles are overlapping to support the calyx lobes.

The fruit capsule is elliptic and has 4 seeds per capsule.

Plants flower from midsummer to midwinter (January to June), during which time flowers appear sporadically.