Aloe vanbalenii is stemless or has short creeping stems among the clump of densely arranged rosettes that commonly develop in favourable growing conditions. It is found in nature in northern KwaZulu-Natal among rocks and sunny outcrops.
In sunlight the leaves are reddish brown, otherwise bright green. The leaves are a special feature of this plant's attraction. They are typically recurved and deeply channelled with marginal teeth only.