Alocasia azlanii

Natural range and habitat of Alocasia azlanii

Alocasia azlanii comes from Tutong District in Brunei, where it grows beside shallow rainforest streams in moist, sandy clay just above flood level.

The roots stay moist, and excess water moves through the sandy clay.

Care for Alocasia azlanii

Potting mix: For this small species, choose a rich, loose mix that stays slightly moist without becoming dense.

Watering: During growth, water again as soon as the compact mix starts losing moisture; do not wait until it is dry throughout. Give enough water to moisten the root ball evenly, then let the container drain before returning it to its cover pot.

Light: Keep it in light shade to bright filtered light and protect the leaves from prolonged intense sun.

Temperature: Maintain about 20–28 °C and keep it out of cool draughts, especially as room temperatures fall toward 15 °C.

Humidity: Target an ambient level of about 60–80% where practical. Provide gentle ventilation around the foliage, for everyday care. Consistently humid air supports Alocasia azlanii.

Feeding: Apply a modest complete feed while it is growing actively, then taper it as leaf production slows.

Repotting: Once roots crowd the existing pot, provide a little more space with a slightly larger container.

Propagation: Lift an established rooted offset from the parent and keep its own roots attached. Move the offset into a separate pot, keeping conditions warm until fresh root and foliage growth starts.

Alocasia azlanii: signs something is wrong

• Pale or tan patches appear after the plant receives stronger light: Move it away from direct sun and keep it in bright, filtered light. Scorched tissue will not turn green again, so use later growth to judge the change.
• Leaf edges become dry and start curling: See whether the potting mix has been getting much drier than usual or whether the plant is sitting in unusually hot, dry air. Correct whichever fits rather than simply increasing watering on a fixed schedule.
• A leaf stalk yellows from the base and the pot develops a sour smell: Take the plant out and inspect the roots and base. Remove only tissue that is clearly soft or dead, then repot in clean, airy mix. Leave firm tissue alone.
• Fine pale speckling appears and gradually becomes more obvious: Look under the leaves for spider mites and fine webbing. Keep the plant away from others if mites are present. Use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.

Alocasia azlanii: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

Who azlanii honours

The epithet azlanii commemorates Azlan Pandai of the Brunei National Herbarium. Khoon Meng Wong and Peter Charles Boyce first described Alocasia azlanii in 2016 in Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, volume 67, page 185.