In its crested form E. derenbergii presents a unique fan crest as it will never be identical in different plants making each of them particular and for this reason much appreciated by collectors of succulents. In the normal form it is a succulent with a rosette arrangement that does not exceed 10 cm in height and expands horizontally creating new suckers. Its small fleshy leaves have a triangular shape, are glaucous green with reddish margins and end with a tip. During the flowering period, early summer, this succulent gives yellow flowers shaded red.