Stock Flower (Matthiola Incana)

Stock is a fragrant, old-fashioned garden favourite treasured for its beautiful clusters of delicate, four-petaled flowers and sweet, clove-like scent. Available in shades of white, pink, rose, lavender, purple, and red, stock adds colour, fragrance, and classic cottage-garden charm to garden beds, borders, and containers.

Blooming in cool weather, stock is especially lovely in spring and early summer gardens. Its long-lasting flower spikes also make excellent cut flowers for fresh bouquets, bringing both beauty and fragrance indoors.

Minimum Seed Count: 100
Days to Maturity: 90–100 days
Life Cycle: Annual (cool-season)
Height: 24–36 inches
Spread: 8–12 inches
Light: Full sun to partial shade

Outdoor Sowing (Recommended)

When: Early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. Stock prefers cool growing conditions, so sow early rather than waiting for warm weather.

How: Sow seeds approximately ⅛ inch deep in prepared soil. Cover lightly with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite.

Space: Thin or transplant seedlings to 6–9 inches apart.

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until germination.

Indoor Sowing

When: 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost.

How: Sow seeds in seed-starting mix, covering lightly with approximately ⅛ inch of mix. Germination typically takes 7–14 days at 65–75°F (18–24°C).

Light: Provide bright light after germination.

Transplant: Harden off seedlings and transplant outdoors while the weather is still cool. Space plants 6–9 inches apart.