Clivia caulescens grows in mountainous regions on rocky ground in evergreen forests. In valleys and ravines on moss- or lichen-covered rocks or tree trunks facing south. They are found at altitudes between 500 and 1500 metres. The plants form trunks up to 1 metre long, in exceptional cases even up to 3 metres. The leaves are soft, smooth and pointed with a width of between 3.5 and 7 cm and a length of between 30 and 60 cm. 
The flowers of C. caulescens are drooping and tubular. The colour is orange-red with green tips. The round red berries ripen in winter, in about 6 months after pollination and contain about 1-4 seeds between 9 and 13 mm in diameter.
