Stock: The Flower That Speaks Louder Than Any Love Letter Ever Could
Stock flowers (Matthiola) may not have the most striking name, but they are among some of the most popularly grown flowers – both in personal and commercial gardens. They produce lovely racemes of flowers, attract pollinators, and perfume the world with their sweet fragrance. In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Stock flower meaning and symbolism in the language of flowers.
Stock Flower Meaning and Symbolism
Stock flowers represent a happy life and contentment. In the Victorian language of flowers, stock symbolizes lasting beauty, bonds of affection, and the phrase, “You’ll always be beautiful to me.”
Cultural Significance
In the United States, stock flowers have an interesting place in history. It is believed that the third president, Thomas Jefferson, was responsible for the naturalization of stock flowers in the United States, as he had stock imported from Europe to be planted in his gardens at his home in Monticello, Virginia, in 1771.
The Prompt Reply Messenger
Stock flowers also have an unusual meaning in Victorian flower language—they symbolize “promptness” and were sometimes sent to suggest that someone should reply to a letter or invitation more quickly.
Receiving a bunch of stocks might have been the 19th-century equivalent of that “???” follow-up text when someone hasn’t responded.
The Color-Coded Messages
Different colored stocks carry distinct meanings in the language of flowers: white represents purity and truthfulness, pink signals friendship and shared joy, purple communicates royalty and accomplishment, while red expresses admiration different from romantic love.
Before emoji existed, people sent precisely colored stock bouquets to communicate specific emotions. Imagine receiving a carefully arranged bunch of white and purple stocks and having to decode the message: “I sincerely respect your recent achievement, and I’m being completely honest about that!”
The Scent That Stops You in Your Tracks
Stock isn’t flashy, but its scent is pure nostalgia. Soft, clove-like, a little sweet—like stepping into a memory. That’s probably why it’s tied to affection and lasting bonds. People remember how you made them feel, and Stock carries that kind of energy.
Loyalty in Bloom
These blooms stick around. They’re long-lasting in the vase and in meaning. Symbolically, they speak to loyalty, deep friendship, and the kind of love that endures.
Stock Your Garden With Beauty!
Stock flowers are relatively easy to grow and offer a big payoff. Whether you want to enjoy them in your garden, breathe their scent in through an open window, or cut their stalks for a bouquet, these beauties earn their place in any garden.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.