Why are my stocks wilting?

They are very sensitive to overwatering and poor drainage, which leads to root rot.

Do I need to deadhead them?

Deadheading helps keep the plant tidy, though it may not significantly extend the bloom time for all varieties.

Plant guide

Stock.

Matthiola incana

Pronounced mat-tee-OH-luh in-KAY-nuh

Also known as Brompton stock, Hoary Stock, Tenweeks stock, common stock, gilliflower, gilly-flower, gillyflower, ten-week stock

Stock is a beloved garden favorite known for its incredibly fragrant, clove-scented blossoms. These plants thrive in cooler weather and offer a beautiful vertical element to spring beds. They make excellent cut flowers that last quite a while in a vase.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Annual or short lived perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 60 cm tall by 30 cm wide
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers throughout the season. Watch for aphids or flea beetles that might enjoy the tender new growth.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded flower spikes to promote continued blooming.
Repotting: Usually grown as an annual, so repotting is rarely necessary.
Soil: Well draining fertile loam
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 5 to 25°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Typically grown as an annual or biennial.
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Safety

People: This plant is generally non toxic, but ingestion of large quantities can cause mild stomach upset.
Pets: Stock is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The seeds are small and could pose a choking hazard if ingested by young children.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation for sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The strong fragrance may trigger reactions in people with chemical sensitivities.
Edibility: While the flowers are technically edible, they are often treated with pesticides in commercial settings and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Grayish green lance shaped leaves
Dense spikes of four petaled flowers
Strong spicy clove like fragrance
Upright growth habit
Velvety texture on foliage

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.3m
Leaves: gray-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, purple, lavender, red, 2 to 4cm

Common problems

Downy mildew — Appears as yellow patches on leaves with fuzzy gray growth underneath.
Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In mild climates, they can survive outdoors with light mulch. In colder areas, they are usually treated as annuals and removed after the first hard frost.
In containers: Stocks grow well in containers at least 10 inches deep with excellent drainage.

Seed Sowing

Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
Cover lightly with soil as they need some light to germinate.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.

Plant stocks with low growing annuals to shade their roots and keep them cool during warmer days.

Grows well with

Sweet Alyssum — They share similar moisture needs and create a beautiful, fragrant ground cover.
Pansy — These cool season companions provide a lovely color contrast at the base of the taller stocks.

Keep away from

Cabbage — They share the same pests and diseases, which can lead to rapid spread in the garden.

Similar species

Night Scented Stock — It is closely related but specifically noted for its nocturnal fragrance.

Science

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Matthiola
Order: Brassicales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in rocky, coastal cliffs where it benefits from well drained soil and moderate temperatures.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths, butterflies
Uses: cut flowers, fragrant borders, container gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my stocks wilting?: They are very sensitive to overwatering and poor drainage, which leads to root rot.
Do I need to deadhead them?: Deadheading helps keep the plant tidy, though it may not significantly extend the bloom time for all varieties.

Where the name comes from

Matthiola honors the Italian physician and botanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli. The epithet incana describes the hoary or grayish pubescence on the leaves.

Good to know

Stocks are members of the Brassicaceae family, making them relatives of broccoli and cabbage.
The name incana refers to the gray, hairy appearance of the leaves.
They were once known as Gillyflowers.

Is your stock looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.