Aloe pearsonii has multiple erect stems of up to 2 m in height. Each is covered in a cloak of four neatly arranged vertical ranks of triangular leaves that point downwards (are deflexed). The plant chemistry and leaf appearance associate this species with the grouping of creeping aloes, although other writers classify it with the multi-stemmed ones.

A. pearsonii is endemic to a hot and arid climate in a limited part of the Richtersveld and an adjacent area in Namibian just north of the Gariep. Large stands of these aloes still occur in habitat, blooming spectacularly in summer. Panicles of yellow or red flowers as well as some in shades between red and yellow adorn the parched countryside. The perianths on the short racemes are long, narrow and pendulous (Jeppe, 1969).