Gazania linearis is a small, clump forming perennial herb, growing 100–300 mm tall. The leaves form a rosette at the base, measuring 80–300 mm long and 1–10 mm wide, sometimes up to 25 mm wide. They are long, narrow and lance-shaped, occasionally oval, either whole, partly divided, or fully divided with 1–6 deep cuts. The upper surface is smooth or slightly rough, while the underside is covered in soft white hairs, except along the midvein. Flower heads grow on stalks that are 100–350 mm long, usually shorter than the leaves, with a few narrow bracts. The flower head is bell-shaped, with involucral scales arranged in 2–3 rows. The outer scales are narrow with fine hairs along the edges, while the inner scales are sharply pointed and smooth-edged, measuring 8–18 mm long and 2 mm wide. The petals are yellow to orange, sometimes with dark spots at the base. Flowers bloom mainly in spring and early summer, but may bloom sporadically throughout the year, depending on rainfall.

Gazania linearis has two recognized variants: var. linearis and var. ovalis, which differs from the typical variety in having oval leaves and only occurs in the Eastern Cape.