Araceae
Red Mambo Alocasia (Alocasia azlanii)
Alocasia azlanii
A demanding houseplant: bright light without direct sun, warmth between 20 and 28 °C and 60-80% humidity, ideally from a humidifier or inside a glass cabinet. Keep the mix lightly moist, never soggy or completely dry. Use a light, airy mix with perlite and bark. Feed lightly once a month while it is growing. Spider mites are the main pest, especially in dry air. It is toxic to pets and people if chewed.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
15° - 28°C
60% - 80%
Categories
What is Red Mambo Alocasia?
Red Mambo Alocasia (Alocasia azlanii) is a hard-care plant from the Araceae family. Alocasia azlanii, sold as Red Mambo, is a compact alocasia in the arum family (Araceae), endemic to the lowland rainforests of Brunei on the island of Borneo. It was described in 2016 by botanists K.M. Wong and P.C. Boyce. The leaves, about 16-20 cm long, have a metallic surface ranging from green t...
Red Mambo Alocasia grows up to 40cm, spread of 30cm, watering every 7 days, 15°C – 28°C, 60–80% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike easy-care plants, Red Mambo Alocasia demands constant attention to humidity and light. Not recommended for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Red Mambo Alocasia?
TLDR: Red Mambo Alocasia needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-28°C with 60-80% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Red Mambo Alocasia?
Water when the top 3-5 cm of mix is almost dry, usually every 7-10 days, and let it drain well. In winter, water about twice a month. Soggy soil rots the roots; letting it dry out too much makes the leaves droop.
How Much Light Does Red Mambo Alocasia Need?
Bright, indirect light near a window but out of direct sun. A little soft morning sun is fine; strong sun leaves pale patches that do not recover.
What Is the Best Soil for Red Mambo Alocasia?
A light, airy mix with organic matter that holds some moisture without compacting: potting soil with perlite and pine or orchid bark, plus a little worm castings.
What Pot Should You Use for Red Mambo Alocasia?
A plastic nursery pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the root ball, set inside a cover pot. Move up one size only when roots fill the pot.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Red Mambo Alocasia and Where Does It Come From?
Alocasia azlanii, sold as Red Mambo, is a compact alocasia in the arum family (Araceae), endemic to the lowland rainforests of Brunei on the island of Borneo. It was described in 2016 by botanists K.M. Wong and P.C. Boyce. The leaves, about 16-20 cm long, have a metallic surface ranging from green to deep purple and vivid magenta to red veins, which places it among the so-called jewel alocasias. In the wild it grows only 10-28 cm tall; in a pot it reaches about 40 cm tall and 30 cm wide. It is a houseplant that needs warmth and high humidity.
How to Propagate Red Mambo Alocasia?
Offsets and corms
Keep at 22-28 °C. Air the cover now and then to prevent mold.
- 1 Remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the mix from the roots
- 2 Separate offsets that already have their own roots, or the small corms (bulbils) among the roots
- 3 Pot each one in a small pot of moist, airy mix, with corms upright
- 4 Cover with a plastic bag or clear box to keep warmth and humidity, out of direct sun
- 5 Wait for roots and the first new leaf to appear
Materials needed:
How Big Does Red Mambo Alocasia Grow?
TLDR: Red Mambo Alocasia can reach up to 40cm tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
40cm
Spread
30cm
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Red Mambo Alocasia?
TLDR: Red Mambo Alocasia is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Low Humidity Stress
Low humidity stress occurs when indoor air becomes too dry, causing plants to lose moisture faster than they can absorb it through their roots. This is especially common during winter heating periods, near radiators and heating vents, or in air-conditioned spaces. Tropical plants are particularly susceptible to low humidity damage.
Fun Facts
It was only described by science in 2016.
In the wild it is endemic to Brunei, on Borneo.
In its habitat it rarely grows taller than 28 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my Red Mambo leaf edges turning brown?
How often should I water Alocasia azlanii?
Is Red Mambo Alocasia toxic?
What pests attack Red Mambo?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticky false asphodel | Hard | Bright indirect | 1d | ✓ |
| Congo Philodendron | Medium | Partial shade | 10d | ⚠️ |
| Creeping bentgrass | Hard | Direct sun | 3d | ✓ |
| Peace Lily | Easy | Low light | 7d | ⚠️ |
