Siam Tulip
Curcuma alismatifolia
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Aug 23, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Siam Tulip
Siam tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia) is a tropical ginger from Southeast Asia that thrives in NE Florida zone 9b, emerging from rhizomes each spring and producing showy pink to white bracts above lush tropical foliage through summer. It dies back completely in winter but reliably returns each year, making it an excellent low-maintenance perennial for shaded borders and containers. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Flower Color
- White, Pink, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Siam tulip prefers bright filtered light or part sun; avoid deep shade which produces weak, spindly growth. In NE Florida's intense summer sun, morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
Water regularly during the active growing season (spring through summer), keeping soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering significantly in fall once foliage dies back, and withhold irrigation through winter dormancy to prevent rhizome rot.
Plant rhizomes in well-drained soil rich in organic matter; amend sandy Florida soil with compost before planting. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced slow-release fertilizer; do not fertilize during dormancy.
Similar needs
Crossandra
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bellflower
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Foxglove
Shares 4 of the same needs: moderate water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Banana Shrub
Shares 4 of the same needs: moderate water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Camellia
Shares 4 of the same needs: moderate water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Encore Azalea
Shares 4 of the same needs: moderate water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Siam Tulip a good plant for St. Augustine?
Siam Tulip is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 2-3 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.