---
title: "Siam tulip (Curcuma): vase life, season, meaning & care | Floreboard flower guide"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/curcuma/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-10
publisher: Floreboard (芳华绘)
---

# Siam tulip (Curcuma): vase life, season, meaning and care for florists

Siam tulip (Curcuma) (Curcuma alismatifolia, family Zingiberaceae) usually lasts 7–14 days in a vase. In season: Summer. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: focal flower.

- **Botanical name:** Curcuma alismatifolia

- **Family:** Zingiberaceae

- **Role in a design:** Focal flower

- **Vase life:** 7–14 days

- **In season:** Summer

- **Fragrance:** None

- **Colours:** [pink](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/pink/), [white](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/white/), [purple](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/purple/)

- **Type:** Cut flower

- **Pets:** Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base — check the ASPCA list for the exact species

## Care and conditioning

- A tropical stem: avoid cold storage and drafts. Recut and place in clean water; the coloured parts are bracts.

For florists

## From Siam tulip (Curcuma) reference to a client design

Enter the flowers and costs you actually have, then add the client brief. Floreboard builds an editable recipe and estimated quote from that stock; this article does not add stock for you.

Start a design with my stock

## Where it fits

| Use |   | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–14 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |

## Pairs well with

These are available at the same time as siam tulip (curcuma) and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:

| Flower | Role | Vase life |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Baby's breath](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gypsophila/) | Filler flower | 7–10 days |
| [Astrantia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/astrantia/) | Filler flower | 7–10 days |
| [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) | Line flower | 7–10 days |
| [Bells of Ireland](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/moluccella/) | Line flower | 7–10 days |
| [Eucalyptus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/eucalyptus/) | Foliage | 10–14 days |
| [Monstera leaf](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/monstera/) | Foliage | 10–14 days |

## Substitutes

When siam tulip (curcuma) is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:

| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/) | 7–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/) | 7–10 days | Year-round | None | mildly toxic |
| [Agapanthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/agapanthus/) | 7–10 days | Summer | None | — |
| [Hydrangea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hydrangea/) | 5–7 days | Summer | None | mildly toxic |

## FAQ

### How long does siam tulip (curcuma) last in a vase?

Usually 7–14 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.

### When is siam tulip (curcuma) in season?

In season in summer; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.

### How do you keep siam tulip (curcuma) fresh?

A tropical stem: avoid cold storage and drafts. Recut and place in clean water; the coloured parts are bracts.

### What colours does siam tulip (curcuma) come in?

Naturally in pink, white, purple (not counting dyed stems).

### What can I use instead of siam tulip (curcuma)?

Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Lisianthus, Calla lily, Agapanthus, Hydrangea.

## Related guides

- [Cut flower care and conditioning guide](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/cut-flower-care/)
- [Unscented and low-pollen flowers](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/unscented-flowers/)
- [Summer flowers in season](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/seasonal-flowers/summer/)

## In season at the same time

[Sunflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sunflower/) · [Hydrangea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hydrangea/) · [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/) · [Astrantia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/astrantia/) · [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) · [Bells of Ireland](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/moluccella/) · [Bupleurum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bupleurum/) · [Canterbury bells](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/campanula/)

Last reviewed: 2026-10-10. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. Pet toxicity follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) · [About our data](https://floreboard.com/en/about/)