How far apart should I plant Stock (gillyflower)?

About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).

Does Stock (gillyflower) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Stock (gillyflower) need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Stock (gillyflower)?

It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Stock (gillyflower) flower?

About 10–16 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.

Is Stock (gillyflower) poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity documented for people; pet effects are not documented in ASPCA lists.

What grows well with Stock (gillyflower)?

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.

Stock (gillyflower) Matthiola incana

Stock (gillyflower) (Matthiola incana) is an annual flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, native to Mediterranean coasts and southern Europe. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.

Plan Stock (gillyflower) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Stock (gillyflower) at a glance

Type	Annual flowering plant
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	30–60 cm (12–24 in)
Mature spread	20–30 cm (8–12 in)
Spacing	25 cm (10 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6.5–7.5
Cold hardiness	About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F)
Flowering	about 10–16 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks
Days to maturity	About 100 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: flowers
Native to	Mediterranean coasts and southern Europe
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇫🇷 France

Is Stock (gillyflower) toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not well documented
Dogs: not well documented

No toxicity documented for people; pet effects are not documented in ASPCA lists.

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 Stock (gillyflower)

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

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

See Stock (gillyflower) in a botanical garden

It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (8 plants)

Questions about Stock (gillyflower)

How far apart should I plant Stock (gillyflower)?: About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
Does Stock (gillyflower) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Stock (gillyflower) need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Stock (gillyflower)?: It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Stock (gillyflower) flower?: About 10–16 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
Is Stock (gillyflower) poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity documented for people; pet effects are not documented in ASPCA lists.
What grows well with Stock (gillyflower)?: 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 C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Treated as an annual (ten-week types); Brompton and Beauty-of-Nice types are grown as biennials and flower the following spring.

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