Monanthes anagensis is the largest species in the genus Monanthes, forming little bushes about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) high. Leaves are laxly spaced, linear-elliptic, quite smooth, and 1.5–2 centimetres (0.6–0.8 in) long. When stunted it somewhat resembles Monanthes laxiflora but differs from any form of that variable species in its distinctly shrubby habit, alternate (not opposite) longer and narrower leaves which are green, red, or purplish, never grey, and ovoid buds, the buds of M. laxiflora being broader than long.