Pelecyphora chlorantha usually grows solitary or in small groups with a diameter of 7–9 cm. The cylindrical shoots reach heights of up to 7-15 centimeters. The plants have 12-33 radial spinesperareoles. The four to elevencentral spines have a white to dark red or black tip and are 12 to 20 millimeters long. The flowers are yellow green to dull brown and reach a diameter of around 2-3 centimeters and up to 3 cm long, blooming from April to may. The ellipsoid fruits are green and 2.5 cm long with brown seeds. Chromosome count is 2n=22.
This plant was originally described as Mammillaria chlorantha by Engelmann in 1878. The plant was moved to Pelecyphora based on DNA sequence and morphological data in 2022.