Nananthus is made up of a dozen of species of mesemb from central South Africa. It is related to Aloinopsis and Titanopsis. Coming from a more continental part of South Africa, they will tolerate intense heat, as well as some frost. They should be lightly shaded in summer. They generally bloom in autumn. The flowers are 2 cm wide, yellow with occasionally some red. Most species develop large root systems, and need to be kept in a large pot. This also means that the soil mix needs to have an excellent drainage to avoid root rot. They are sometimes planted so that some of the root system is shown.

Nananthus aloides is a South African indigenous species from the Northern Cape and North West Provinces. It is commonly known as Vlaktevygie and is synonymously known as Aloinopsis aloides, Aloinopsis wilmaniae, Mesembryanthemum aloides, Nananthus aloides var. latus and Nananthus wilmaniae. It grows to form small aloe-like tufts of boat-shaped leaves with many white spots. All year long it blooms with yellow flowers.