Abstract The compounds isoknipholone, isoknipholone anthrone, foliosone and isofoliosone were isolated from the stem of Kniphofiafoliosa and their structures determined by spectral analyses. In addition, the known compounds, aloesaponol Ill, aloesaponol III-8-methyl ether and 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxyacetophenone were isolated and identified.