Prickly Stock Plant Care

Prickly Stock (Matthiola tricuspidata) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Matthiola genus. Prickly Stock is native to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Prickly Stock displays an upright, branching growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Prickly Stock produces fragrant blooms in various colors like purple, pink, white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Prickly Stock every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Prickly Stock thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Matthiola tricuspidata tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Prickly Stock prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Prickly Stock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Prickly Stock every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Prickly Stock is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Prickly Stock can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Prickly Stock while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Prickly Stock is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Prickly Stock can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to matthiola afghanica plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Prickly Stock is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Prickly Stock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Prickly Stock is native to the shores of the Mediterranean. In cooler regions, grow Prickly Stock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.