How to Grow Stock Flower Excelsior
Wikimedia Commons
Stock Flower Excelsior
Matthiola incana 'Excelsior'
flowerStock Excelsior is a tall, showy ornamental flowering plant prized for its dense spikes of fragrant, double flowers in various colors. This cultivar grows upright with excellent cut-flower characteristics and is popular in both gardens and floral arrangements. The blooms emit a sweet, clove-like fragrance and come in white, pink, red, purple, and yellow hues.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Stock Flower Excelsior in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Stock Flower Excelsior timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Stock Flower Excelsior
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Stock Flower Excelsior blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Stock Flower Excelsior dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; prefers cooler climates and is often grown as a cool-season annual
Sign up free to see if Stock Flower Excelsior grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Stock Flower Excelsior timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with 2-4 true leaves emerge within 7-14 days. Cotyledons are narrow and lance-shaped.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-65°F). Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops strong, upright stems with lance-shaped, gray-green foliage. No flowers yet; focus is on stem and leaf development.
Maintain cool temperatures; stocks prefer 50-70°F. Water consistently but don't overwater. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Provide sturdy support or staking as plants grow tall (2-3 feet). Pinch main stem when 4-6 inches tall to encourage branching if desired.
Budding
2-3 weeksDense flower buds appear along the upper portions of stems in tight, columnar clusters. Buds gradually swell and show color.
Continue consistent watering and support. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply phosphorus-rich or bloom-promoting fertilizer to encourage flowering. Remove any diseased or damaged foliage. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Flowering
3-6 weeks or longerFragrant flowers open sequentially from bottom to top along flower spikes, creating long-lasting color. Double-petaled varieties (like Excelsior) produce dense, ruffled blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, though Excelsior is bred for long flower persistence. Water at soil level to keep foliage dry. Provide afternoon shade in hot weather (above 75°F) as stocks prefer cool conditions. Cut stems for arrangements in early morning.
Seed Production/Decline
Varies by climateIf not deadheaded, flowers fade and seed pods (siliques) develop. Plant vigor declines as temperatures warm.
Allow some flowers to remain if saving seeds. In warm climates, stocks often decline as summer heat arrives. In cool-season regions, plants may continue blooming for extended periods. Remove plants if they show signs of disease or pest damage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick caterpillars, use floating row covers, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, or use neem oil if needed
-
Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
-
Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide, or apply neem oil; ensure good air circulation
-
Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, improve air circulation
-
and
(fungal)
Avoid overhead watering, ensure good drainage and air circulation, remove infected foliage, apply copper fungicide if severe
Uses
Edible Garnish and Flavoring
CulinaryStock flowers are edible and can be used as delicate garnishes for salads, desserts, and sophisticated plated dishes. Their subtle clove-like flavor adds a floral note to culinary creations. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
HouseholdStocks are classic cutting garden favorites prized by florists and home arrangers for their long-lasting, fragrant flower spikes and vertical form. They are a staple in both wedding bouquets and simple seasonal arrangements. [source]
Dried Flower Crafts
CraftStock flowers dry exceptionally well and retain their color, shape, and subtle fragrance. They are popular in dried arrangements, wreaths, potpourri, and pressed-flower crafts. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeStock flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies with their abundant nectar and fragrance. They provide valuable nectar sources during cool-season gardening periods. [source]
Traditional and Aromatic Uses
MedicinalHistorically, stocks have been used in traditional herbal preparations and aromatherapy for their sweet, uplifting fragrance. The clove-like scent is said to have calming properties. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For cut flowers, harvest in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Cut when lower florets are open but upper buds still show color for longest vase life (typically 7-10 days). Use a sharp knife and cut at a 45-degree angle. Remove lower foliage to prevent bacterial rot in water. Change water every 2-3 days. Stocks prefer cool rooms and benefit from floral preservative.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Stock flowers are native to the Mediterranean region and have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, with evidence of their cultivation in ancient Egypt and Rome.
- 🌱 The Excelsior cultivar was specifically bred to produce extra-full, double flowers with superior vase life and is a favorite among professional florists worldwide.
- 🌱 Stocks naturally emit a delightful clove-like fragrance that intensifies in cool evening air, making them perfect for gardens enjoyed at dusk.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Stock Flower Excelsior planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Stock Flower Excelsior seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Stock Flower Excelsior timeline →