Gnidia caffra sprouts annually from a woody rootstock. The numerous shoots can reach a height of 50cm. Each shoot produces a many-flowered terminal head of yellow flowers.

Gnidia caffra is one of the so-called pre-rain flowers and one of the first to flower in Spring. It is very conspicuous after a veld fire.

Interplant with grasses. It can also be combined with other perennials such as Indigofera hedyantha that flower at the same time, but has lovely pink flowers.