With tall, elegant flower spikes and lush, tropical foliage, Curcuma brings a bold, exotic presence to your home or summer patio. Also known as Siam Tulip or Hidden Ginger, this striking plant produces upright bracts in shades of soft pink, bright pink, or pure white, with the true flowers tucked subtly between the colourful bracts. Blooming from midsummer into early autumn, Curcuma makes a spectacular seasonal houseplant that thrives with warmth and moisture.
Scientific Name
Curcuma alismatifolia (Curcuma = the turmeric genus; alismatifolia = “Alisma-leaved,” referring to the shape of the foliage)
Synonyms
Siam Tulip, Hidden Ginger, Summer Tulip
Common Name
Curcuma, Siam Tulip, Hidden Ginger
Origin
Native to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, where it grows in warm, humid conditions during the monsoon season and dies back during dry winters.
Light
Thrives in bright, indirect light. Some gentle morning or late afternoon sun is ideal. Avoid strong midday sun, especially through glass, as it can scorch the leaves and bracts.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing and flowering season (spring to early autumn). Water when the top 2–3 cm feels dry. Do not let the soil dry out completely. In winter, if the plant goes dormant, reduce watering significantly.
Humidity
Loves moderate to high humidity. Mist occasionally or use a pebble tray indoors, especially in dry environments.
Soil
Use a rich, well-draining compost – a mix of peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite or grit for aeration works well. Repot in spring if needed.
Food
Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser to support flowering. Stop feeding once blooming ends and foliage begins to fade.
Temperature
Prefers warmth – keep between 18–28°C. Avoid temperatures below 15°C. Curcuma does not tolerate frost, so if kept outside in summer, bring indoors before autumn chills set in.
Pet-safe
Yes – Curcuma is non-toxic to pets and people.
Sprouts Top Tips
After flowering, the foliage may begin to yellow – this is natural. Allow the plant to go dormant in autumn by reducing watering and letting the leaves die back. Store the dormant rhizome in its pot in a cool, dry place (around 13–15°C), then resume watering in spring when new growth appears.
