Dendrobium kingianum is usually a lithophyte (growing on rocks) but can sometimes be found as an epiphyte (growing on another living plant, but not parasitic in nature). Pseudo-bulbs are up slender, up to 35 cm long with a thick base. There are usually 3 to 6 thick leaves at the top of each Pseudo-bulb. Flowers occur on stems from the top of each Pseudo-bulb in racemes of 2 to 15 flowers per stem. They are usually pink to deep mauve but white forms are known. Flowers are seen from late winter to spring.