Photo: anguspritchardCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Siam Tulip Plant Care
Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Curcuma alismatifolia, Siam tulip or summer tulip is a tropical plant native to Laos, northern Thailand, and Cambodia. Despite its name, it is not related to the tulip, but is a close relative of turmeric.
Every 5–7 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Siam Tulip?
Water Siam Tulip every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Siam Tulip?
Siam Tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family within the Curcuma genus. Siam Tulip is native to Laos, northern Thailand, and Cambodia. Siam Tulip is also known as Summer Tulip, Curcuma Tulip.
Siam Tulip displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Siam Tulip produces colorful bracts resembling cones or torches.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Siam Tulip?
Curcuma alismatifolia requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Siam Tulip Need?
Siam Tulip thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Siam Tulip in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Siam Tulip Prefer?
Curcuma alismatifolia grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Siam Tulip prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Siam Tulip?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Siam Tulip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Siam Tulip?
Feed Siam Tulip every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Siam Tulip?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Siam Tulip?
Siam Tulip can be propagated through division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to turmeric plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Siam Tulip Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Siam Tulip, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Siam Tulip?
Siam Tulip is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Siam Tulip Need?
Siam Tulip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Siam Tulip is native to Laos, northern Thailand, and Cambodia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Siam Tulip is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Curcuma genus — compare its care with other Curcuma species on PlantoScan.
Curcuma is part of the Zingiberaceae plant family — browse all Zingiberaceae genera and species.
Siam Tulip thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep., family Zingiberaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 49:259. (1903)) — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Siam Tulip, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: anguspritchard, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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