The obovate or paddle-shaped leaves of Arctotheca populifolia are simple and petioled. They are covered by white-woolly, dense felt-like hairs, the blades slightly fleshy.

Leaf margins may be sparsely and shallowly toothed or lobed at the base, often only a single pair present at the base of the blade.

A mature leaf with petiole is about 6 cm long.

The leaf felt was used as tinder in times past (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Mustart, et al, 1997; Manning and Goldblatt, 1996; iNaturalist).