Seeds start to form in late February and are fully developed by the third week in March. A survey of the colonies near Derby on 24 March 1996 indicated that nearly all the flowers had produced fruits, allowing for millions of seeds to be liberated into the environment that season. Seed is liberated in sunny autumn weather during April and May when the capsules split open. Seed liberated early in April would obtain the best chance to germinate as the cold weather has not started and the habitat is still sufficiently moist to allow seeds the chance to sprout. Seed is distributed by wind and the grazing activities of domestic stock, as well as in rain water once it has fallen onto the clay below.
Most seed lies dormant until the following summer when the rains begin.
In situations where the habitat is grazed and trampled much seed gets heavily buried in the clay and does not obtain the chance to germinate. Further study is required concerning the relative abundance of seed produced from one year to the next, as well as the factors which govern germination patterns. Seeds are parasitised by insects but not to the same extent as Aloe seed which is nearly always heavily infested. The habitat dries out during May and is dry from May to October. All areas in which the plants are found are subject to severe frosts from May to August and to winter grass fires.