Curcuma 'Siam Scarlet and Purple'
Hidden lily
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.3m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Relatives of the spice called turmeric, a member of the ginger family, these are showy plants. They have long, oblong fleshy leaves coloured grey-green and with a red midrib. The flower itself is very chunky and thrusts up a head with rose-red, purple-red tipped leaves that are fat, and beneath this floral display are a number of 'cups' enfolding the stems. These contain tiny structures that are the true flowers. This is a tropical plant that is best grown in a greenhouse. They must be kept away from direct sunshine and need warmth and moist air about them. They should be watered regularly whilst in growth. When the flower has died they can be kept in a cool dry position with a minimum temperature of -10C (15F). They begin to grow in early spring when they should be repotted in rich loose soil and the watering regime and increased temperature can begin afresh.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
More Curcuma
Curcuma
Hidden lily, Hidden ginger
Curcuma 'Skyline'
Siam tulip, Flowering turmeric
Curcuma alismatifolia 'Siam™ Salsa'
Siam tulip
Curcuma alismatifolia 'Siam™ Sanna'
Siam tulip
Curcuma alismatifolia 'Siam™ Splash'
Siam tulip
Curcuma longa
Turmeric