Sansevieria francisii is a compact herbaceous perennial leaf-succulent that elongates and sends down pandanus-like walking legs (stolons). The shape of the leaves and its crossbanding can be best described as being similar to those of Sansevieria suffruticosa. This plant however has leaves longer than the former, up to 15 cm in length and as sharply pointed. The distinctiveness of this plant lies in its growth form: the leaves stack in compact rows of five and it keeps adding more rows until they either flop over or send out stolons, or both. In this manner it can grow to a length of 60 cm or more. It is quite an handsome plant, particularly in the younger stages. It was firstly described in 1995 by B. Juan Chahinian.

Living plants are a valuable addition to vivaria for many reasons. In fact, they are so beneficial that they really should be considered a standard component of most vivaria for most kinds of herps. There are reasons why seasoned keepers of many of the more rare, pricey and difficult herps tend to know about, and use, a lot of living plants, and why. The beauty and naturalistic look plants bring to a vivarium are important considerations but by no means the only ones.