The simple leaves of Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus grow spiralling or alternate. They have short stalks, about 3 mm long, sometimes red or pink.

Leaf-shape is lanceolate, obovate or broadly ovate with tapering, rounded or notched tip and tapering base. The leaf margins are entire, slightly rolled under.

The glossy dark green to yellow-green blades are leathery, thick and brittle, paler below. Young leaves are pink or red. The midrib and in-curving lateral veins are prominent on the lower surface, petering out before the leaf-tip.

Leaf dimensions are 3 cm to 8 cm long and 1 cm to 4 cm wide, mostly well within those extremes (Venter, 2012; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993; INaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).