When to plant Stock in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Raise stock seedlings from February to June, sowing under cover and transplanting once the summer wet has eased. Seed germinates in 10–20 days, and the plants are slow, taking around 140 days to reach their scented, spike-flowered peak. Sow just 3 mm deep into a fine, free-draining mix and keep it barely moist rather than wet. Transplant into full sun, spacing plants 20–40 cm apart in rows 20–30 cm apart. In Brisbane and Coffs Harbour gardens, an autumn start gives stock the cool, dry run through winter it needs to flower well before the humidity returns.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: February to June.

Growing notes

Stock is a cool-season flower asked to perform in a warm-winter zone, so timing is everything. Sowing after the February–June window pushes flowering into the humid spring, where the plants sulk and rot. Start in autumn and you get sturdy plants heading into the dry, clear winters of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

The most common failure here is stem rot and grey mould in prolonged wet. Water the soil, not the foliage, keep plants spaced for airflow, and avoid crowding them against fences or walls. If a cluster of plants collapses at the base, pull them promptly and improve drainage before replanting.

Stock is a brassica relative, so watch for aphids on the soft growing tips through autumn. A firm hose blast or a soap spray usually keeps them in check. Feed lightly with a balanced fertiliser as buds form, but go easy on nitrogen, which produces leaf at the expense of flower spikes. Full sun and free-draining soil, ideally raised, give the best colour and the strongest clove-like scent.

Stock at a glance

Common questions

When should I plant stock in Brisbane?

Sow seedlings from February through to June so plants establish over the cooler, drier months. This lets them flower through winter and early spring before humidity climbs. A late start tends to give leggy plants that struggle to bloom.

Why is my stock not flowering?

Warm, humid conditions and excess nitrogen both push leafy growth over flowers. Sow in autumn, feed sparingly with a balanced fertiliser as buds form, and give plants full sun. Patience helps too, as stock needs around 140 days to mature.

Does stock need full sun in the subtropics?

Yes, stock flowers best in full sun with good airflow. Morning sun with some afternoon relief is fine in the warmest gardens, but deep shade produces weak, floppy plants prone to rot. Free-draining soil matters just as much as light.

How far apart should I space stock plants?

Space plants 20–40 cm apart in rows 20–30 cm apart. Generous spacing keeps air moving between plants, which is your best defence against the grey mould and stem rot that thrive in subtropical wet spells.

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