Gibbaeums are bizarre succulents that grow hidden amongst pebbles; the entire genus is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, occurring only in the arid habitats of the Little Karoo and surrounds. Belonging to the Mesembryanthemaceae family, generally referred to as Mesembs, some common names include Mimicry Plants, Volstruistone, Duimpie-snuif, Papegaaibek, Vinger-en-duim, Visbekvygie and volstruiswater. Their characteristic is two unequal leaves closely pressed together. Their name comes from the Latin for hump. Gibbaeums grow easily from seed and are ideal container plants. They also grow well in rockeries. They form very attractive clumps and are highly attractive when in flower. In summer water them only when they start shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in autumn and spring. Keep them rather dry at the cold of the winter. They will take a light frost if they are in dry soil.

Gibbaeum heathii is a robust, compact, clump-forming, succulent plant, which normally grows above ground but is partially sunken into the ground in the dry season. It can grow up to 60 mm high and approximately 30 mm in diameter and has a long root system. Flowers vary from white, pink to purple and are visible from late winter to early spring.