Brunsvigia pulchra, is a deciduous, winter-growing geophyte, with a subterranean bulb. The bulb is ovoid (egg-shaped) and measures 70-90 mm in diameter, covered with dense, membranous, light to dark brown tunics. Flowers are produced before the leaves in autumn, from March to May. Standing 200 to 300 mm high when in full flower, individual flowers are light- to deep rose-pink and 45-55 mm in length. Flowers may last from 7 to 10 days, and the feature that differentiates this species from other brunsvigias is that all flowers stand straight up during flowering. They produce fleshy, brownish green seeds that are 5 mm in diameter. Brunsvigia pulchra produces 5-7 oval-shaped leaves after the first good winter rains. They are 250-450 mm long and 100-220 mm wide. The upper surface is dark green and velvety to the touch whereas the lower surface is light green and smooth.

Brunsvigia pulchra is remarkable among members of this genus of about 18 species in that its flowers are carried in a dense, conical or brush-like flower head that, from a distance, resembles a pink tulip. The flowers have erect, overlapping tepals and upright, straight stamens with maroon unripe anthers that turn cream-coloured when ripe. When in flower, the flower stalks (pedicels) are more or less erect, but they elongate considerably in fruit and form a rounded seed head that is indistinguishable from that of Brunsvigia bosmaniae. Similary, the leaves are difficult to distinguish from those of B. bosmaniae.