It is a solitary cactus with a green, globular body, depressed at the apex. Parodia formosa has two kinds of spines: the central ones are longer, of a yellowish brown color, which point upwards, intertwining with the radial spines, that are shorter, white, and rather thin. During spring, it blooms with small, sulfur-yellow flowers, which are more tender, than other Parodias have.