Leaves with substance
The fleshy leaves are almost round in cross-section and taper to a sharp tip.
Sansevieria francisii 7cm
Normal price
€5,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Sansevieria francisii
- Sculptural form
- Fleshy leaves
- Grey-green bands
- Pointed tips
- Distinctive geometry
Sansevieria francisii forms a dense arrangement of narrow, fleshy leaves spreading around the stem. Lighter grey-green bands cross the dark green foliage, adding depth to its almost cylindrical surfaces.
Slender tips and the repeating leaf arrangement create a clean, sculptural silhouette. This is a plant to appreciate at close range, especially with its outline set against a calm, light-coloured wall.
What makes it special
Its appeal lies in the detail of the foliage and the way its shape changes as it grows.
Subtle contrast
Grey-green cross-bands lighten the deeper green without disrupting the overall harmony of the foliage.
An evolving shape
As the plant grows, its stem becomes more apparent and lateral stolons may emerge, gradually changing its outline.
Why you will love it: its clean lines and the small differences revealed from each viewing angle.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where to place it and how to combine it
Where it looks its best
Choose a bright desk or shelf near a window with filtered light. A simple ceramic pot sets off the foliage; if using a cover pot, keep the plant inside a nursery pot with drainage holes. Position it away from busy walkways, children and pets.
Plants to pair it with
Group it with other sansevierias in separate pots, watering each when its own growing medium dries.
- Sansevieria trifasciata: broader, upright leaves create a taller backdrop.
- Sansevieria masoniana: its broad leaf surfaces contrast with the slender lines of Sansevieria francisii.
- Sansevieria cylindrica: repeats the cylindrical geometry with a different leaf arrangement.
Care at a glance
Light
Plenty of indirect light. Protect the foliage from sudden exposure to strong midday sun.
Water
Let the growing medium dry throughout before watering again. Empty any water left in the saucer.
Temperature
A warm indoor position without frost or cold draughts. In winter, aim for temperatures above 15°C.
Growing medium
An airy succulent mix and a pot with drainage holes. Good drainage matters more than a large pot.
For this plant
Growing medium & nutrition
Detailed care Complete care guide Light, water, climate, growing medium and feeding
Light and acclimatisation
A position near a bright window helps maintain its characteristic form. Introduce a sunnier position gradually. The shade tolerance of sansevierias does not make a dark shelf the best permanent location.
Check before watering
Check the growing medium and the weight of the pot instead of following a fixed weekly routine. Once thoroughly dry, water and allow all excess to drain away. Intervals become longer in lower light or cooler conditions.
Seasons and protection
Warmth and light favour growth. When growth slows, reduce watering according to how quickly the mix dries. This plant cannot tolerate frost; a summer position outdoors requires gradual acclimatisation, shelter from strong sun and a return indoors before cold weather.
Repotting and roots
Repot when roots fill the pot, choosing a slightly larger size with drainage holes. Sybasoil Cacti & Succulent Premium Mix is a suitable option. Avoid burying the base deeply or using an oversized pot that retains moisture.
Feeding during active growth
Use Cactus&Succulent Focus with watering, following the label, while the plant is growing. Do not water early just to apply fertiliser. After repotting into a pre-fertilised mix, allow for its existing nutrient supply; this Sybasoil mix states an initial feeding period of 180 days.
Safe handling
The tips are sharp. Sansevierias are harmful if eaten and their sap can irritate skin, so keep the plant away from children and pets and wear gloves when removing leaves. Check leaf axils for mealybugs and remove only damaged parts.
Botanical identity Identity & natural origin Identity, synonyms and natural range
One species, two names
Sansevieria francisii is a naturally occurring species, not a named cultivar. Kew currently accepts it as Dracaena francisii, in the family Asparagaceae.
Eastern Kenya
Its native range is eastern Kenya. Kew associates it with the seasonally dry tropical biome, where water availability varies through the year.
Named for a collector
The epithet francisii honours Francis, known as Frank, Horwood. It is linked to his collection of the plant near Garsen, Kenya, in 1982.
From natural habitat to care: Seasonal drought in its native region helps explain the need for drying intervals between waterings. In a pot, this means an aerated mix and free drainage of excess water. A tropical origin does not indicate tolerance of a Greek winter.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Science nobody asked for A closer look at anatomy and physiology
Water stored in leaves
The fleshy structure of sansevieria leaves allows them to store water. This adaptation helps during dry periods, but it does not protect roots from prolonged wetness.
Leaves in five ranks
Botanical descriptions record the leaves in five ranks around the stem. This arrangement explains the plant’s distinctive geometry.
Stolons are stems
The lateral extensions that may appear are not leaves. They are stolons, one way the plant produces new points of growth.
Flowering is not guaranteed
The species can produce a simple, unbranched inflorescence. Flowering depends on development and growing conditions; this plant is supplied for its foliage, with no guarantee of flowers.
Frequently asked questions
A few practical points about position, watering and growth.
01 Can it live far from a window?
It tolerates lower light, but a bright position with indirect light is preferable for steady growth. The growing medium dries more slowly in a darker spot.
02 How often should I water it?
When the mix has dried thoroughly at depth. Season, temperature, light and the pot all affect the interval, so a fixed schedule is unreliable.
03 Can it stay on a balcony all year?
It is not suitable for frost. Keep it indoors in winter; a summer position outside needs gradual acclimatisation and shelter.
04 Why is the base becoming soft?
A soft base together with wet mix may indicate excess moisture or rot. Stop watering and inspect the base, roots and drainage before deciding how to treat it.
05 Is it safe for cats and dogs?
It is unsuitable for chewing or ingestion. Place it out of reach of pets and children, also taking the sharp tips into account.
06 Will it stay this compact?
As it grows, a more visible stem and lateral extensions may develop. Its eventual shape varies with age and growing conditions.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.