Night-scented stock (evening stock) Matthiola longipetala
Night-scented stock (evening stock) (Matthiola longipetala) is an annual flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, native to Greece and Turkey to south-western Asia and North Africa. It grows 20–45 cm (8–18 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Night-scented stock (evening stock) in your garden →
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Night-scented stock (evening stock) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Mature height | 20–45 cm (8–18 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–11 weeks after planting, for 6–9 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Greece and Turkey to south-western Asia and North Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Night-scented stock (evening stock) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Night-scented stock (evening stock)
Good neighbours
- good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
- good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C
Questions about Night-scented stock (evening stock)
- How far apart should I plant Night-scented stock (evening stock)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
- Does Night-scented stock (evening stock) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Night-scented stock (evening stock) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Night-scented stock (evening stock)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Night-scented stock (evening stock) flower?
- About 7–11 weeks after planting, for 6–9 weeks.
- Is Night-scented stock (evening stock) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Night-scented stock (evening stock)?
- Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- A hardy annual: sow where it is to flower in autumn or early spring, thin the seedlings, and let some plants set seed.
- A scruffy little plant by day, its limp lilac flowers open at dusk and scent a whole patio. Sow a pinch by the door or under a window every few weeks.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
- Radish Raphanus sativus
- Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
- Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
- Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes