The plants do not seem to sucker or produce offshoots, but from the germination of their seeds they can form small, dense clumps.

The fat, wide, serrated, gray-green leaves have sharp, dark leaf-tips and grow in the five spiral rows.

The region also has a very high summer rainfall and this moisture is augmented by the clouds which engulf the Lesotho mountain peaks.

[4] The species is highly sought after as an ornamental but is difficult to cultivate and usually soon dies if removed from its natural habitat.

[1] In cultivation in the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.