Heirloom

StoX® Deep Rose

Matthiola incana

Wikimedia Commons via Matthiola incana

Sturdy, upright stems are comparable in quality to the Iron series. The StoX series was bred for easier selection of double-flowering plants. Double-flowering plants will display a lighter leaf color at the seedling stage after exposure to cool temperatures. Without selection your plants will produce approximately 55% double-flowering plants and 45% single-flowering plants. You might notice that some seedlings will present the lighter color leaves, even without a cold treatment. Single-stem/column-type stock for one-cut harvest. NOTE: This variety produces one flowering stem per plant. Pinching is not advisable as it will terminate flowering. Blooms are a brilliant deep rose color. Edible Flowers: The peppery, clove-like flavor of the flowers lends itself well to use as a garnish on salads, desserts, and drinks.

Harvest

90-105d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for StoX® Deep Rose in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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StoX® Deep Rose · Zones 6–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

WaterRegular, keep soil consistently moist

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorPeppery, clove-like flavor with subtle spice notes.

ColorDeep rose

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Stock blooms once per stem and doesn't rebound, so if you want more than three weeks of cut flowers, you need at least two sowing rounds. Start the first batch indoors in February, transplant in April, then make a second indoor sowing in March for a follow-up flush in May. In most zones that's the practical limit — summer heat above 80°F stops bud development cold. If your summers stay mild, a third sowing is possible, but in zone 7 and above your better move is a fall restart: seed indoors in late July, transplant in September.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains.

Harvesting

StoX® Deep Rose reaches harvest at 90 - 105 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Seeds will ripen in August and September.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Store fresh-cut StoX® Deep Rose stems in a clean vase with cool water (65-70°F) in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Change water every 2-3 days; stems typically last 7-10 days. For preservation, hang-dry bundles in a dark, well-ventilated space (2-3 weeks) for dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flowers between parchment paper in a heavy book for 1-2 weeks to create flattened specimens for crafts. Freezing in ice cube trays with a bit of water preserves petals for later culinary garnishing.

History & Origin

StoX® Deep Rose is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: The Coast of Europe from Spain to Greece.

Advantages

+Sturdy upright stems rival quality of premium Iron series stock
+Double-flowering plants identifiable by lighter seedling leaves for easy selection
+Brilliant deep rose blooms offer striking color for premium cut arrangements
+Peppery clove-flavored flowers work beautifully as edible garnish option
+Relatively quick 90-105 day production cycle with easy growing difficulty

Considerations

-Single stem per plant means no pinching allowed without losing flowers
-Approximately 45% single-flowering plants reduce usable yield without selection
-Requires cool temperature exposure to reliably identify double-flowering seedlings

Companion Plants

Marigolds and nasturtiums are the most practical neighbors here — both deter aphids, which zero in on the soft new growth of stock spikes, and neither one crowds the root zone at 12–18 inch spacing. Lavender and catmint pull in pollinators without throwing enough shade to matter. Keep Matthiola away from other brassicas: they share clubroot and draw the same cabbage looper pressure, so planting them together just doubles the exposure in one spot. Black walnut is a hard no for a different reason entirely — the juglone it releases into the soil is chemically toxic to a wide range of ornamentals, and stock doesn't tolerate it.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, moths, and mice while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Alliums

Deter aphids, thrips, and other pests with strong sulfur compounds

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover without competing for nutrients

Chrysanthemums

Natural pyrethrin content repels many garden pests including aphids and spider mites

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting roses

Garlic

Repels aphids, Japanese beetles, and fungal diseases with natural sulfur compounds

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting

Large Trees

Compete heavily for water and nutrients while creating excessive shade

Brassicas

Attract flea beetles and cabbage worms that may spread to roses

Troubleshooting StoX® Deep Rose

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinched-looking and dark at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot triggered by overwatering and poor airflow around seedlings
Starting mix staying wet too long between waterings

What to Do

1.Water only when the top half-inch of the seed tray mix is dry; stock seeds germinate well at 65–70°F without needing constant moisture after sprouts emerge
2.Run a small fan on low near your trays to keep air moving — 30 minutes a day makes a real difference
3.If damping off appears, remove affected seedlings immediately and drench remaining cells with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part 3% H₂O₂ to 9 parts water)

Leaves develop a grayish-white powdery coating, usually appearing mid-season when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) — common on Matthiola, especially when days are warm and nights drop below 60°F
Spacing tighter than 12 inches that traps humidity between plants

What to Do

1.Keep plants at least 12 inches apart — closer than that and the canopy never dries out between waterings
2.Spray affected foliage with a potassium bicarbonate solution (follow label rates) at first sign; repeat every 7–10 days
3.Water at the base in the morning, not overhead in the evening

Flower spikes form but buds stall or abort without opening, or the plant rushes to seed before putting on a real show

Likely Causes

Heat stress — Matthiola incana is a cool-season bloomer; once daytime temps hold above 80°F, bud development shuts down
Transplanting too late, so the 90–105 day window lands squarely in peak summer heat

What to Do

1.Transplant by late April in zone 7 so plants are well into bloom before June; starting late by even two weeks can cost you the whole flush
2.Mulch around the base with 2–3 inches of straw to keep roots cooler and stretch the bloom window a bit longer
3.If you missed the spring window entirely, start seed indoors in late July and transplant in September for a fall crop

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do StoX® Deep Rose cut flowers last in a vase?▼

With proper care—fresh, cool water changed every 2-3 days and stems kept away from direct sun and ripening fruit—StoX® Deep Rose flowers typically last 7-10 days. Ensure you use a clean vase and remove any foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. Recutting the stems at a 45-degree angle every few days also helps with water uptake.

Is StoX® Deep Rose a good choice for beginner flower growers?▼

Yes, absolutely. StoX® Deep Rose is rated as easy to grow and produces sturdy, upright stems similar to the Iron series. It requires just 4-6+ hours of sunlight and doesn't demand complex care. The main thing to remember is not to pinch the plants, as this variety produces one flowering stem per plant and pinching will terminate flowering.

Can you grow StoX® Deep Rose in containers?▼

Yes, StoX® Deep Rose can be grown in containers. Plant one seedling per medium-sized container (at least 6-8 inches deep) with well-draining potting soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, provide 4-6+ hours of sunlight, and avoid pinching the plant to ensure proper flowering within 90-105 days.

What does StoX® Deep Rose taste like and how is it used in cooking?▼

The flowers have a peppery, clove-like flavor that works beautifully as an edible garnish. They're perfect for salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is subtle but distinctive, making them an elegant addition to plates. Always ensure flowers are grown specifically for culinary use without pesticides before consuming.

How many flowers will I get from one StoX® Deep Rose plant?▼

StoX® Deep Rose is a single-stem, column-type stock bred for one-cut harvest. Each plant produces one main flowering stem. This makes it ideal for cut flower production where you harvest the entire stem once it reaches optimal bloom. Plan to grow multiple plants if you need multiple flowers.

When should I plant StoX® Deep Rose seeds to get flowers at a specific time?▼

Count back 90-105 days from your desired harvest date. For spring blooms, start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. For fall flowers, direct sow or transplant seedlings in mid-summer. The double-flowering plants will show lighter-colored leaves after cool temperature exposure, helping with selection if you prefer doubles.