Aloe thompsoniae grows on mineral-poor quartzitic soil in sandstone rock crevices and is endemic to the Wolkberg near Polokwane (Limpopo Province). It is confined to the moist and well-watered sheer cliff faces and crevices in large boulders at an altitude of 1650-2100 m above sea level. Plants are often locally abundant. They grow mainly on shady, east- and south-facing aspects. Plants also grow on the summit and on boulders and are not restricted to cliffs. The temperature is moderate during summer, with frequent fog, and winters are dry and cool. The rainfall is about 1500-2000 mm per annum. Plants grow in Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld of the Grassland Biome (Muchina et al. 2005). Associated plants in its habitat include Crassula pellucida subsp. alsinoides, C. setulosa, Bulbine natalensis, Aloe arborescens, Drimia robusta, Merwilla plumbea and Cyrtanthus junodii.