Aloe claviflora grows in dense groups, most often in circular or half-circular patches of ten or more heads. Plants are normally stemless but in old specimens, short stems may form which grow horizontally along the ground. Unlike other typical aloes in arid areas, Aloe claviflora does not have erect rosettes. Instead they face outward, giving them a characteristically asymmetric shape. The firm, leathery textured leaves are greyish green, sometimes with a whitish appearance, up to 200 mm long, and have sharp brown spines along the margins. There are also some spines along the middle of the lower surface of the leaf which extend toward the leaf apex. The plants start as a small, dense, circular group which gradually continues to grow outwardly. This later causes a hollow to form in the middle of the circle as the plants continue to grow outward. This is a very typical feature of A. claviflora in the wild.

Another typical feature is the angle at which the inflorescence is produced. It is never erect but always at a slanted angle almost prostrate on the ground. One or two inflorescences may appear at a time which is from August and September. The inflorescences are usually unbranched but in rare cases up to four branches may appear. The racemes are oblong, densely flowered and up to 300 mm long. Each flower is distinctly club-shaped with the widest part near the mouth and the tube strongly tapering and gradually merging with the flower stalk. The buds and young flowers are bright red, but turn a yellow and whitish colour as they age with time. This gives a very attractive bicoloured appearance to the racemes. As with other members of the Asphodelaceae, the fruit is a typical capsule and seeds are small and winged, ripening normally around January.