Glottiphyllum nelii grows in the Little Karoo near Oudtshoorn as well as in the southern parts of the Great Karoo. The characteristically keeled leaves positioned in two opposing rows with distinct edges are soft and succulent. Flowering happens in autumn.

Note the difference between G. nelii depicted here and G. neilii, another member of the genus found more to the north beyond the Swartberg range. G. neilii, in Afrikaans commonly known as vet skilpadkos (fat tortoise food ) has purple-green leaves and grows in exposed sandstone areas (Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006).