South African dwarf aloe with large red or orange flowers in late winter/early spring. Forms dense clumps over time. Leaves are tuberculated (small white prickles on the upper and lower surfaces) and have soft, white marginal teeth. Rosettes may be open (spreading) or closed (leaves erect to incurved) depending on light, stress and maturity. Inflorescences are unbranched and racemes are laxly flowered.

Usually propagated by offsets, which are relatively easy to separate when young, extremely difficult when they have had time to cluster extensively. Widespread distribution in the southeastern Western Cape and western Eastern Cape provinces. Variable, with several named forms. Unusually thick and bulky roots. Very large and abundant flowers, especially given the diminutive size of the plant.

One of the parents of the relatively common garden hybrid Aloe x spinosissima, with A. arborescens.

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