This past Spring, a friend asked me if I grew a perennial herb known as Comfrey. Surprisingly, my answer was no. However, when I finally got the chance to take a cutting of this plant, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to cultivate it. Today, I’m excited to share my first cuttings of Comfrey and how I’m growing it in a container. Below, you’ll find a video along with some interesting facts about this remarkable plant.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): A Hardy Perennial Herb
Comfrey is a robust perennial herb that thrives in a variety of conditions. It flourishes best in partial to full sunlight and prefers moist, fertile soil.
Propagation and Planting
- Comfrey can be propagated through root cuttings or crown divisions.
- While it can be planted at any time during the growing season, spring planting yields the best establishment.
Care and Maintenance
- Keep soil moisture at a moderate level, particularly for young plants.
- Once established, comfrey effectively outcompetes weeds and has no known insect or disease problems in Utah.
Harvesting and Cautions
- Some leaves and roots can be harvested after the first year of growth.
- Important: High doses or prolonged consumption can lead to liver toxicity. Individuals with existing liver conditions should consult a healthcare professional before using comfrey.
Comfrey Growing in Container
I’m truly enjoying the learning process. To be honest, I can hardly believe I didn’t have any in my garden before! In this video I share where I have it planted and how well it is doing in this full sun space. In the short time I had to review the plant I decided to put it in a large container. Some where I read that it could be hard to kill and invasive so to play it save I put it in a container. Apparently, the seeds rarely germinate so I don’t have to worry about that. The plant has started to bloom and I am excited to share how it grows for me with you.
Be sure to subscribe to my channel @BrenHaas – this video is part of my Bren Haas YouTube Channel.
Comfrey Resource Links
During my search online to find out more about the comfrey plant I came across a few different videos and articles about the plant. Be sure to check if you can trust the site or ‘influencer’ sharing about this plant. I find the content on University Extension Sites to be SPOT ON! Utah Extension site has some really interesting articles with research about the plant.
Let’s Connect
In closing, I would love to hear from you and what you think about the perennial herb comfrey. Have you grown it in your garden before? Be sure to comment on the post below or reach out to me on my contact page.
Happy Gardening,
Bren
