Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Boraginaceae

A deep-rooted 'dynamic accumulator' — chop the leaves for a potent mulch or compost tea. Plant where you want it forever.

Builds soilPerennialVigorousMedicinal

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Soil

Rich, moist

pH

6.0–7.0

Hardiness

Hardy perennial

Height

2–4 ft

Spacing

36 in

Days to harvest

Chop-and-drop

What it is

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is in the Boraginaceae family. A deep-rooted 'dynamic accumulator' — chop the leaves for a potent mulch or compost tea. Plant where you want it forever.

How to grow it

It wants full sun to part shade, water it moderate, and give it rich, moist soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 36 in apart. Expect roughly Chop-and-drop. Hardy perennial.

How it's used

Comfrey is used: mulch/compost tea; topical salves.

🔎 How to identify it

Large bristly leaves
Bell-shaped purple/pink flowers
Very deep taproot

Edibility

PartsLeaves (external use)

UsesMulch/compost tea; topical salves

CautionNot recommended for internal use; spreads from root.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.