Stock (Matthiola incana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Stock on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Stock
Matthiola incana, commonly known as Stock or Garden Stock, is an annual or biennial plant from the Brassicaceae family, valued for its showy and fragrant flower spikes. Its blooms, which can be single or double, come in a wide range of colors including white, pink, purple, and red, emitting a sweet and spicy aroma. It is ideal for flower beds, borders, cutting gardens, and containers, adding a romantic and perfumed touch to any space.
Native range
Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa
Care tips
For optimal growth, Stock prefers full sun exposure or light partial shade, especially in warm climates. It needs well-drained, fertile, and slightly alkaline soil; water regularly to keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged, avoiding overwatering which can lead to root rot. A common mistake is not providing enough space between plants, which reduces air circulation and increases the risk of fungal diseases.
How to save a dying Stock
- Warning signs
- Yellow or wilting leaves, soft stems, no blooms, rot at base.
- First aid
- Remove faded flowers and leaves. Check drainage. Reduce watering if soil is wet. Move to partial shade.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (root rot), lack of light (weakens), high temperatures (stress), heavy soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted and you act fast. Recover with good drainage and indirect light.