Stock Flowers

Stock flowers (Matthiola, chiefly M. incana) are cool‑season, sweetly fragrant spikes from the mustard family, prized in bouquets and cottage gardens for their dense, ruffled florets and wide range of pastel to vivid colors.

Occasions & recipients

Find flowers by occasion

Best occasions

  • Weddings and engagements
  • Anniversaries
  • Mother’s Day
  • Get‑well and thinking‑of‑you
  • Sympathy and remembrance

Suitable for

  • Spouse or romantic partner
  • Close friend
  • Mother/parent or family member
  • Colleague (if fragrance is acceptable)
Color taboos
  • Pure white may be associated with mourning/funerals in parts of East Asia—avoid for joyous events there.
  • Purple can signify mourning in some cultures (e.g., Brazil)—use cautiously for celebrations.
  • Bright yellow can read as envy/jealousy in some regions—avoid for romantic messages.
Card messages
  • Wishing you a happy life and lasting beauty—just like these fragrant stocks.
  • With enduring affection—may contentment fill your days.
  • For a bright recovery and calm moments—thinking of you.
  • To celebrate our bond that only grows stronger.
  • Congratulations—may joy and serenity blossom in every season.

At a glance

Key details

Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.

Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.

Botanical info

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Brassicales; Family: Brassicaceae; Genus: Matthiola; Primary species in floristry: Matthiola incana (syn. ‘Stock’, ‘Gillyflower’).
Distribution
Native to the Mediterranean and Macaronesia; naturalized and widely cultivated across temperate regions worldwide.
Conservation
Not globally threatened; Matthiola incana is widely cultivated. Wild coastal populations in its native range are localized; most taxa Not Evaluated.
Presentation etiquette
Confirm recipient’s sensitivity and venue scent policies (fragrance is strong). Present upright, with lower foliage removed and stems conditioned. In mixed bouquets, avoid overcrowding the spikes; pair with roses, ranunculus, snapdragons, or eucalyptus. Keep out of direct heat and drafts.
Ideal delivery time
Morning delivery in the cool season (late winter through spring). For cut spikes, send within 24–48 hours of harvest when ~1/3 of florets are open.
Toxicity
Generally non‑toxic to humans and pets; large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Sap may irritate sensitive skin—wash after handling.
Allergenicity
Low to moderate. Strongly fragrant blooms may bother scent‑sensitive people; pollen is insect‑borne (low airborne exposure). Sap can rarely cause mild skin irritation—wear gloves if sensitive.

Meaning & taboos

Symbolism & color
Victorian floriography links stock with enduring beauty, steadfast affection, contentment, and a joyful, well‑lived life.

Growing & tools

Care & gear
Growing tips
Cool‑season annual/short‑lived perennial. Full sun; fertile, well‑drained soil (neutral to slightly alkaline). Best in 10–18°C days; heat shortens bloom. Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost or plant out in early spring/fall; space 20–30 cm. Pinch for branching (garden use) or grow single stems for cutting. Keep evenly moist, avoid waterlogging; feed lightly. Support tall spikes. Watch for aphids, flea beetles, and botrytis; ensure good air flow. Cut‑flower care: strip lower leaves, recut under water, use preservative, keep cool; vase life ~7–10 days.
Recommended tools
  • Sharp hand pruners or florist snips
  • Seed‑starting trays with humidity dome
  • Soft plant ties and slender staking canes
  • Watering can with a fine rose or gentle sprayer
  • Clean vase plus floral preservative for cut stems
Symbolizes
  • Lasting beauty
  • Bonds of affection
  • Contentment
  • Happy life
  • Loyalty