Veltheimia capensis is an erect bulbous perennial, 20-50 cm tall, relative of the familiar spring-blooming hyacinth. It has matte greyish or bluish undulate or crinkly leaves, but unlike the bulbous Haemanthus albiflos seen in many collections, it loses its leaves in summer and has its growing period in winter. It bears a dense raceme of nodding, tubular, flowers 20-35 mm long, varying in colour from white with red spots to pink with green or red markings.