Hakea laurina is an upright shrub or small tree with smooth grey bark, 2.5–6.0 m (8 ft 2 in–19 ft 8 in) high, 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) wide and does not form a lignotuber. The inflorescence consists of 120-190 conspicuous white, deep pink or red pin cushion shaped flowers in the leaf axils. The pedicels are 5.5–9.5 mm (0.22–0.37 in) long and smooth.