How to Grow Stock Plants

Stock flowers are a great plant to have in inventory.  They are attractive, colorful and sweet smelling! Stock flowers are native to Europe and Asia Minor.  They produce lots of flowers on tall stems, but when the weather gets hotter, their production slows down.

Stock is an easy to grow annual. The plants grow up to 21/2 feet tall. The flowers are great for cutting and make a statement in a garden setting.  Use taller varieties as a tall garden border; try the smaller varieties as a beautiful edger or in containers.  Stock flowers come in crimson, lavender, pink, purple, red, white and yellow.

Growing Stock

Stock plants are grown from seeds. They can be directly seeded into the garden, or started indoors.

Cover seeds lightly with potting soil.  Keep the soil moist for best results.

Transplant Stock into the garden after the last frost date for your area. 

Plant Stock in full sun or light shade in rich, well-drained soil.  Fertilize once a month with a general purpose garden fertilizer. 

Stock plants have few pests.  They prefer soil that is slightly moist.  Water them during dry weather and keep them weeded.  They prefer cooler weather and will not flower in very warm temperatures.

Stock will survive a light frost.