The small leaves of Erica subdivaricata ascend more than spread in whorls of four around the stems. The leaves are sufficiently spaced for the reddish, hairy stems to be visible.

The leaves are narrowly oblong, stubby from their margins being rolled under. Hair-like protrusions are sometimes visible on the leaf-tips (Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Kidd, 1983; iNaturalist).