Plants shrubby, to 45 cm tall, offsetting from the base. Stems about 30 mm thick, weak, shorter than the diameter of the rosette, becominig decumbent. Leaves about 12 per rosette, to 35 cm long and 7 cm wide, horizontally spreading, recurved distally, lower surfaces convex, upper surfaces concave, glossy, glaucous to brownish green, often with pale spots; margins wide, cartilaginous, toothed, the teeth about 4 mm long, and 5-12 mm apart, triangular, brown-tipped. Inflorescences about 45 cm tall, with up to 6 spreading-ascending branches; branches with flowers well separated on lower portion, in subcapitate clusters towards the tips, mature flowers nodding; bracts about 10 mm long, 2 mm wide, papery, reddish brown, tapering to a thin, sharp point; pedicels about 14 mm long, spreading. Flowers about 25 mm long and 9 mm wide across the ovary; perianth dull red, glossy, shading to dull green near the tips, outer segments free for 10-12 mm, inner segments somewhat the longer and with a slightly upturned tip; anthers exserted for 2-3 mm. Capsules about 15 mm long, 12 mm wide.
Aloe heybensis is known only from the type collection which was made on a granitic outcrop on Buur Heybe which is located in region S1 of the Flora of Somalia. Elevation not clear, not more than 560 m, the elevation of the top of Buur Heybe.