Curio talinoides grows on exposed, sheer cliff faces, often on the shady south-facing slopes, the reclining stems sometimes rooting and forming new groups. The powdery bloom and bluish grey colour on the leaves and stems reflects the harsh sun and acts as a sun screen. The succulent nature enables the plant to survive periods of drought, when the leaves become very thin, only to revive after a rain shower.

At the Keiskamma River (south of East London), Curio talinoides grows on exposed slopes in Buffalo Thicket vegetation, rich in succulent plants. Associated species include Tetradenia barberae, Crassula perforata, Crassula rupestris, C. pellucida subsp. marginalis, Crassula cultrata and C. rupestris, Aloe pluridens and A. speciosa, Delosperma tradescantioides, Ficus burtt-davyi, Cotyledon velutina, , Bulbine latifolia, Haworthia cymbiformis var. ramosa, Pelargonium inquinans, Portulacaria afra and Senecio voigtii.

Along the Mtata River north of East London in the Eastern Cape, plants was found on sheer cliffs adjacent to the river growing mainly on south-facing slopes. The vegetation here consists of Eastern Valley Bushveld with plants such as Gasteria excelsa, Haworthia cymbiformis var. setulifera, Cotyledon petiolare, Euphorbia triangularis, Adromischus sphenophyllus, Crassula lactea, C. ovata and C. perforata, Aloe speciosa and Portulacaria afra.

The average annual rainfall in its habitat varies from 400-600 mm per annum and it is at an altitude of 200-800 m above sea level. Precipitation occurs mainly in the form of thunder showers in summer and to a lesser extent cold fronts during winter. In its natural habitat the stems often recline and are well-adapted to the steep slopes and cliffs where the plants grow.

The plants vary in leaf size, shape and colour. The most striking is are the crowded blue- to grey-green, rounded, sickle-shaped leaves.

The cliff face is an ideal refuge, protecting the plants from larger herbivores. As with many associated succulents, branches which become detached fall onto ledges and will root spontaneously when favourable conditions prevail.

The downy seeds are dispersed by wind, and with favourable conditions seeds will germinate in suitable crevices.