It features a branching, suckering habit that forms large clumping colonies over time. Stems can grow erect or divergent up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) long.
The rosettes are comprised of 12 to 16 deeply channeled, arching, grey-green leaves measuring 50–70 cm in length. The foliage is distinctively marked with elongated, pale spots (especially numerous on the leaf undersides) and heavily guarded by pungent, reddish marginal teeth.
Seasonally, it produces 1-meter-tall branched inflorescences bearing conical flower heads. The tubular flowers are a vivid orange to scarlet red and are highly appealing to pollinators.
