Dracaena angolensis ‘Fan’

Dracaena angolensis ‘Fan’ natural growth and species history

The fan shape of Dracaena angolensis ‘Fan’ reflects the natural way Dracaena angolensis grows. The species is native to Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe, where its thick leaves and underground rhizomes help it through long dry seasons.

Older references may use the name Sansevieria cylindrica. The species is now placed in Dracaena, with the name Dracaena angolensis published in 2018. DNA studies showed that Sansevieria belongs within Dracaena.

Indoor care for Dracaena angolensis ‘Fan’

• Light: Keep the plant in bright indirect light and turn the pot occasionally so new fans receive light from different directions. Increase direct-sun exposure gradually.
• Watering: Water thoroughly after the mix has dried through, then let the pot drain. Allow more drying time when growth slows.
• Potting mix: A coarse cactus or succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes works well.
• Temperature: Keep it in a room that stays roughly 15–24 °C.
• Humidity: Typical indoor humidity suits the plant. After watering, let the base of the fans dry.
• Structure: Each fan holds itself upright. A wider, well-balanced pot helps steady a mature clump.
• Feeding: Feed about monthly while fresh shoots are developing, then reduce the frequency as growth slows.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots and underground stems have filled the container.
• Propagation: A rooted fan can be separated with a piece of rhizome attached. Larger clumps can also be divided between established fans.

Dracaena angolensis ‘Fan’ plant health and troubleshooting

• A fan becomes loose at soil level: Check the roots and base for rot. Cut away every soft or rotten part with a clean, disinfected tool until firm, healthy tissue remains. Throw away the rotten pieces and repot the healthy fan in fresh free-draining mix.
• The leaves wrinkle and lose firmness: Check the roots and moisture in the pot. If the mix is dry and the roots remain firm, give the plant a thorough watering. Deal with soft or damaged roots first.
• White cottony clusters, sticky marks or fixed bumps gather near the base: Look closely for mealybugs or scale. Remove visible pests, isolate the plant and choose a houseplant treatment that lists the pest on the label. Follow the label for repeat treatments.
• Soft brown or wet-looking areas continue to spread: Leaf spot or rot may be affecting the leaves. Keep the foliage dry, isolate the plant and remove badly affected parts with a clean, disinfected tool. Throw the damaged pieces away.
• Fine pale speckles or webbing develop: Check both sides of the leaves for spider mites and look over nearby plants. Isolate ‘Fan’ and use a houseplant treatment that lists spider mites on the label. Follow the label for how often to repeat the treatment.

Dracaena angolensis (Sansevieria cylindrica) ‘Fan’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• It contains saponins that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.
• Chewing may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, reduced appetite or weakness. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

Which name is used now: Sansevieria cylindrica or Dracaena angolensis?

Dracaena comes from Greek drakaina, meaning a female dragon. Angolensis means ‘from Angola’.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Dracaena in 1767 in Mantissa Plantarum, page 9; Domenico Vandelli had proposed the name.

Élie Abel Carrière first described it as Sansevieria angolensis in 1861 in Revue Horticole (Paris), volume 10, page 447; Friedrich Welwitsch had proposed that name. James W. Byng and Maarten J. M. Christenhusz later placed it in Dracaena as Dracaena angolensis in 2018 in Global Flora, volume 4, page 64.

Sansevieria remains common in horticulture. Pei-Luen Lu and Clifford Morden showed that it belongs within Dracaena in a 2014 DNA study in Systematic Botany, volume 39. Kew’s World Checklist treats Sansevieria cylindrica as a synonym of Dracaena angolensis.