If you scroll through Instagram looking for “goth plants,” you have inevitably stopped dead in your tracks at the sight of a plant with metallic purple leaves and glowing red veins. Some sellers call it Alocasia Azlanii. Others sell it as Alocasia Red Mambo. Are you being scammed into buying the same plant twice? Or is there a subtle difference only experts know? In this guide, we close the case file on the Azlanii vs Red Mambo mystery.
Alocasia Azlanii and Alocasia Red Mambo are the exact same plant. “Red Mambo” was the trade name used by nurseries in Borneo before the species was scientifically described as Alocasia azlanii in 2016. However, it is often confused with Alocasia cuprea (Red Secret), which is a completely different species with a coppery sheen.
The Name Game: History of a Jewel
The confusion stems from the gap between discovery and taxonomy. This plant is native to the Sarawak region of Borneo. When it first entered the collector market around 2015-2016, it had no scientific name, so sellers dubbed it “Red Mambo” due to its dancing, wavy edges and red veins.
Later, botanist P.C. Boyce officially described it and named it Alocasia azlanii. So, if you see a label saying “Red Mambo,” you are buying an Azlanii.
Azlanii vs Alocasia Cuprea ‘Red Secret’
While “Red Mambo” is a synonym, there is a real look-alike that often confuses beginners: Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’. Both are rare, red-purple Jewel Alocasias from Borneo, but they are structurally distinct.
🟣 Alocasia Azlanii
- Texture: Waxy, glossy, almost plastic-like.
- Veins: Specifically outlined in neon pink/red.
- Leaf Shape: More arrow-shaped (sagittate).
🔴 Alocasia Cuprea
- Texture: Metallic but intensely “bullated” (bubbly/ribbed).
- Veins: Dark, sunken, almost black. Not outlined.
- Leaf Shape: Rounder, shield-like (peltate).
The Science of Iridescence
The Alocasia azlanii is known for its iridescence. This means the color shifts depending on the angle of light. In shade, the leaf looks chocolate brown. Under flash or bright LED, it glows purple.
💡 Pro Tip: To bring out the purple, you need to strip away green. This happens in lower light conditions. Paradoxically, Azlanii often looks better and more purple in medium light than in very bright light, which encourages green chlorophyll production.
Care Guide: Keeping it Purple
The Azlanii is not an entry-level plant. It is widely considered one of the fussier Jewels, prone to “melting” if looked at wrong.
Soil: The “Lava” Mix
In its native habitat, it grows in rocky substrates. It hates dense soil.
Recipe for Success:
- 50% Pumice or Small Lava Rock
- 30% Coco Chips
- 20% Free-draining potting soil
Or just go straight to Lechuza Pon. The Azlanii thrives in semi-hydro because it ensures consistent moisture without suffocation.
Watering
Keep it consistent. Unlike the Black Velvet, the Azlanii does not like to dry out 100%. It prefers to be slightly damp (like a squeezed sponge) at all times. If it dries out too much, it will drop leaves and go dormant instantly.
Propagating the Mambo
Azlanii is a prolific corm producer. We have found up to 10 corms in a single 4-inch pot.
The “Puddle” Method:
Because Azlanii corms can be tiny (size of a peppercorn), they dry out easily in moss. We recommend the “Puddle Method”: Place corms in a shallow pool of water (just covering the bottom of the corm) inside a sealed humidity box. They tend to root faster in shallow water than in moss.
Toxicity & Safety
Standard warning: Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. The sap can also irritate sensitive skin, so wear gloves when repotting.
Common Problems
Stem Rot is the nemesis of the Azlanii. If you bury the stem too deep, it will turn to mush overnight. Always plant it “high,” so the top of the rhizome is exposed to air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Azlanii green and not purple?
Juvenile leaves are often green with dark veins. The purple color develops as the leaf hardens off and matures. Also, check your light—too much light can bleach the purple into a muddy reddish-green.
Alocasia Azlanii vs Mambo vs Purple Cloak?
“Purple Cloak” is another trade name, likely for the same species or a very close variant. For care purposes, treat them all as Alocasia azlanii.
🌿 Complete Your Jewel Collection
You have the Purple one. Now get the others:
