Curcuma alismatifolia Red - Siam Tulip

Curcuma alismatifolia, also known as the Siam Tulip or Thai Tulip due to its origins and the appearance of its beautiful flowering, is a cousin of the spice Curcuma, intended for decoration indoors or in flower beds during the summer season. This rhizomatous plant indeed has a long-lasting spring to summer flowering, which takes the form of magnificent bracts in which tiny true flowers are embedded. Originally from the tropics, not hardy, Curcuma is cultivated like a Dahlia in most of our regions. Its rhizomes will be stored protected from frost in winter.

Curcuma alismatifolia belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, it is a cousin of ginger. This botanical species is native to Cambodia, Burma and especially Thailand. It is a herbaceous perennial plant due to its rhizome.

This ornamental Curcuma forms an upright clump of leafy stems, its foliage is alternate and ensate (sword-shaped) and has sheathing petioles. The flowering lasts for 2 months, between June and September depending on the planting time. Along the floral stem, a multitude of bracts resembling green scales then pink with green bronze tips as they approach the top overlap. In the axils of these scales are embedded the small flowers that, when ripe, measure 2cm (1in) in diameter and emit an enchanting fragrance. Curcuma will produce prettier flowers in neutral, rich and light soil, it will appreciate a light but constant humidity.

If you live in a southern coastal region where frosts are rare and light, you can leave the rhizomes of Curcuma alismatifolia in the ground in winter. In all other cases, dig them up to store them during the bad season, similar to Dahlias. You can also grow them in pots that you will shelter in winter, for example in a veranda. This cultivation method will allow you to place these pots near windows and terraces during flowering to enjoy them up close. Curcuma alismatifolia comes in several colours, pink, white, violine. Don't hesitate to vary the pleasures and play with this range of fresh colours.