Stock
Matthiola incana
An upright, herbaceous flowering plant featuring dense, elongated spikes of highly fragrant, ruffled blossoms in shades of purple, pink, white, and red, accompanied by grayish-green lanceolate leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Moderate watering requirements; allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, and reduce watering frequency during cooler or dormant periods.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial grown primarily as an annual, featuring an upright, branching growth habit with a mature height of 12 to 30 inches and a spread of 10 to 15 inches.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, plant in well-draining, moderately fertile soil, water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist without becoming waterlogged, and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Moderate watering requirements; allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, and reduce watering frequency during cooler or dormant periods.
Soil
Prefers well-draining, loamy to sandy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.0 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, typically grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial grown primarily as an annual, featuring an upright, branching growth habit with a mature height of 12 to 30 inches and a spread of 10 to 15 inches.
Bloom season
Blooms from spring through early summer, producing dense terminal racemes of four-petaled, heavily ruffled flowers that are well-known for their strong, sweet fragrance.
Propagation
Propagated primarily from seeds sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost, or directly outdoors in regions with milder winters.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spots in overly humid or poorly draining conditions. Aphids and flea beetles may occasionally attack the foliage.
Similar species
Can be confused with wallflowers (Erysimum species), but stock can be distinguished by its distinctly ruffled, double flower forms and characteristic grayish-green foliage texture.