Arctotheca populifolia grows branching stems in or on the sand. These stems are fleshy and root in the sand at nodes that show as rings or transversal line markings.

Younger stems are covered in cobwebby hairs (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Mustart, et al, 1997; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996; iNaturalist).