It preferred damp sandy soils such as those that were naturally found around Wynberg, Kenilworth and Zeekoevlei.

Although the species became functionally extinct due to agricultural and urban development of its habitat in the early 20th century, cuttings from several plants discovered in the wild in the later 20th century have ensured that the species will continue in cultivation.

[1] 1984 saw the introduction of cuttings from two specimens, one in Protea Park, Pretoria and another in Kew.

This species was introduced back into the wild at Rondevlei, a bird sanctuary and nature reserve in Cape Town.

[2] Various pollinators such as bees and birds such as southern double-collared sunbirds have been observed feeding on the tubular pink flowers on E. verticillata.