Flower Encyclopedia
Stock
Matthiola incana
Densely packed, spicy-sweet spires that fill an arrangement with old-fashioned fragrance.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
At A Glance
Typical vase life
5–8 days
Availability
Most of the year
Peak months
Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Cost
Budget-friendly
Fragrance
Strong
Pollen
Low
Care
Moderate
Out of water
2–4 hours
Heat tolerance
Low
Cold tolerance
High
Outdoor events
Fair
Around pets
Use caution
Pets in the house? Use caution.
Stock is in the mustard family, and its seeds and seed pods are the parts of most concern if a pet chews them, potentially causing stomach upset. Keep arrangements out of reach, and contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
What It Means
Stock traditionally symbolizes lasting beauty and a happy, contented life, along with bonds of affection. Its clove-like scent and generous blooms have long made it a flower of warmth and enduring attachment.
Colors it comes in
white · cream · pink · lavender · purple · peach · red · yellow
Coordinates beautifully with
soft greens · white · lilac · peach
Season & Sourcing
Stock is available across much of the year, with the best supply and stem quality from late winter through spring. Hot summer conditions can reduce field supply in some regions.
Vase life, honestly
Stock drinks heavily and fouls its water quickly, so frequent water changes make a real difference in how long it lasts. The thick stems can rot fast in dirty water, which shortens vase life.
Fragrance
Stock has a warm, spicy, clove-like fragrance that fills a room — lovely for many settings, but worth weighing for scent-sensitive recipients or tight spaces.
Keeping It Alive
- 1Recut stems at an angle before placing in clean water.
- 2Strip all lower foliage — stock leaves break down fast and foul the water.
- 3Change the water every day or two, since stock dirties it quickly.
- 4Use flower food and keep the vase cool.
- 5Remove any stems that begin to smell sour to protect the rest.
What it costs: Stock is an affordable way to add volume and fragrance, sitting in the budget-friendly range for standard grades. Double-flowered, extra-full types edge toward the moderate range.
Where It Shines
At weddings
Stock adds lush volume and vertical form to centerpieces and larger bouquets, along with a nostalgic fragrance that many couples love. Its full spires fill space efficiently, making it a good value for big installations, though the strong scent is worth confirming with the couple.
In sympathy work
White and pastel stock brings fullness and a gentle fragrance to sympathy arrangements and standing sprays, adding softness and body to larger pieces.
Every day
A fragrant, generous filler for a home bouquet, especially in spring. A few stems perfume a room, and its ruffly blooms make a simple bunch feel abundant.
Can't Get It? Try
A Little History
Matthiola incana is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean coast and has been cultivated as a fragrant garden and cut flower since at least the 1500s. It takes its botanical name from the 16th-century Italian botanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli.
Questions People Ask
Why does my stock water get cloudy and smell so fast?
Stock has thick stems and leaves that break down quickly, fouling the water and shortening vase life. Stripping the lower foliage and changing the water every day or two keeps it fresher.
How strong is the fragrance of stock?
Quite strong — a warm, clove-like scent that fills a room from just a few stems. It is worth considering for scent-sensitive recipients or small enclosed spaces.
How long does cut stock last?
About five to eight days with clean, frequently changed water. Keeping it cool and removing any sour-smelling stems helps the rest last.
Is stock a concern around pets?
Stock is in the mustard family, and its seeds and pods are the parts of most concern if chewed. Keep it out of reach and call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on it.
From profile to porch
Love This Flower? Send It Today
Browse arrangements featuring the flowers you just read about — designed with the same honesty you found here.