Veltheimia capensis produces rosettes that are arranged in a raceme inflorescence that ultimately resembles a pendent-like shape.

[3] The specific epithet capensis refers to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, a native habitat for the plant.

[2] Common names include sand lily, elephant's eye and winter veltheimia.

V. capensis grows naturally in the dry, arid climate of the northern part of the Western Province in south-western South Africa.

[3] The plant is valued as a drought-resistant ornamental, though with a minimum temperature of 5–7 °C (41–45 °F), in temperate regions it must be grown under glass.