When bloomdays are done, pale green-grey to whitish leaves sprout on new branches at Leucospermum reflexum var. reflexum stem-tips. They contrast against the blue-grey or grey of the old leaves. There is no contrast in leaf stance: they all ascend on the stems around the devasted heads where fruiting happens imperceptibly.

The oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate leaves with tapering bases have their tips shaped variously, determined by the usually three glandular, horny teeth positioned there. Leaves vary in length from 2 cm to 5,5 cm.

The stems visible among the spaced, spiralling leaves are dull red, short hairs adding to the subdued colouring (Manning, 2009; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; http://pza.sanbi.org).