The leaves of Cyanotis speciosa grow in a basal cluster and cauline (up the stems), where they are spirally arranged. The stem-leaves spread horizontally and are often widely spaced up the slender, zigzagging branches.

The leaf is sessile, its base fully enveloping the stem. The sheath margin is ciliate, hairier than the blade itself. The long hairs on the lower surface are erect, not appressed to the surface, as in the case of C. lapidosa.

The dull green or sometimes purplish red leaves are lanceolate and channelled, tapering to acutely pointed tips. The sheaths and stems are purple (Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982).