Alocasia Azlanii

The Alocasia Azlanii, often referred to as “Red Mambo” or “Jewel Alocasia,” is a highly sought-after and compact tropical plant native to the island of Borneo. It’s cherished for its stunning, almost magical foliage. The leaves have a deep, coppery-purple or dark green base with contrasting, iridescent veins that can appear bright pink, red, or even a vivid magenta, especially when caught in the light.

While its beauty is captivating, it can be a bit more challenging to care for than some other houseplants due to its specific needs for a humid, warm, and stable environment.

Essential Care Tips for Alocasia Azlanii

• Light: This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. The beautiful, vibrant colors of its leaves will be most pronounced with adequate light. Avoid direct sunlight at all costs, as it will quickly scorch the delicate leaves. A location near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet away from a south-facing window, is often ideal. It also does very well under a full-spectrum LED grow light.
• Watering: The key to watering an Alocasia Azlanii is to maintain consistent moisture without letting the soil become waterlogged. Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out before watering again. Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot in Alocasias, so always ensure your pot has excellent drainage. Reduce watering significantly in the fall and winter, as the plant may enter a period of dormancy.
• Humidity: This is a crucial factor for a thriving Alocasia Azlanii. Its native environment is the humid lowland rainforests of Borneo, so it requires high humidity, ideally 60% or higher. Signs of low humidity include brown, crispy leaf edges. To increase the humidity around your plant, you can:
  • Use a humidifier.
  • Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water (making sure the bottom of the pot isn’t in the water).
  • Place it in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Group it with other plants.
• Soil: Use a very well-draining, chunky, and airy soil mix. A good mix will allow for proper aeration to prevent root rot. You can create a suitable mix by combining potting soil with perlite, coconut coir, and/or orchid bark.
• Temperature: Alocasia Azlanii prefers warm and stable temperatures, ideally between 18°C and 27°C. It is very sensitive to cold temperatures and drafts, which can cause it to decline rapidly. Keep it away from cold windows, air conditioning units, or exterior doors.
• Fertilizer: During the spring and summer growing season, you can feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, about once a month. This helps to support its active growth. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth has slowed.

Common Issues

• Pests: Alocasias are susceptible to common houseplant pests, particularly spider mites. Regularly check the undersides of the leaves for small webs or tiny insects. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if pests are found.
• Dormancy: It’s important to be aware that your Alocasia Azlanii may go into a dormant phase, especially during the winter. Leaves may yellow and die back. This is a natural process. If this happens, reduce watering and wait for new growth to emerge from the rhizome in the spring.

Toxicity

Like other Alocasia plants, the ‘Azlanii’ is toxic if ingested by pets or humans due to calcium oxalate crystals. Keep it out of reach of curious children and animals.