What Is Comfrey Information For Growing Comfrey Plants

Comfrey is a herbaceous perennial herb originating in Europe. It has large, hairy leaves and grows in a rosette to 1 m in height. The mauve flowers are bell-like and borne in clusters. Comfrey rarely flowers in subtropical and tropical areas as there isn't sufficient winter chill to induce flowering.

Where is the best place to grow comfrey?
How do you grow and care for Comfrey?
How do you plant comfrey?
Why is comfrey illegal in the US?
Is Comfrey an invasive plant?
Is Comfrey poisonous to dogs?
Is comfrey a good fertilizer?
What is comfrey for?
What is comfrey good for in the garden?
Which plants like comfrey feed?
Is borage the same as comfrey?
Are comfrey leaves poisonous?

Where is the best place to grow comfrey?

This perennial herb grows in USDA growing zones 3-9. Although comfrey is tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, I've found it grows best in full to partial sun and in rich, loosened soil. The more compacted the soil is, the more shade it prefers.

How do you grow and care for Comfrey?

Comfrey grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. But will grow almost anywhere. Comfrey prefers a sweet soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. * It will grow well in clay, light sands or loams — whether in dry or wet areas.

How do you plant comfrey?

Propagating Comfrey

Trim off 2- to 6-inch lengths of the root, and plant them horizontally roughly a few inches deep. Plant more shallow in clay soil and deeper in sandy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until you see growth.

Why is comfrey illegal in the US?

a cancer-causing agent. The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday asked makers of dietary supplements containing the herb comfrey to withdraw their products due to the danger of liver damage and its possible role as a cancer-causing agent.

Is Comfrey an invasive plant?

Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum 'Bocking 14', which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden. Comfrey is a very fast growing plant. During the growing season it produces huge amounts of leaves.

Is Comfrey poisonous to dogs?

Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities. If your dog has arthritis, you could opt to use alfalfa.

Is comfrey a good fertilizer?

What Makes It a Good Fertilizer? With its deep taproot and large root system, comfrey pulls its nutrients from way down in the subsoil, where most other plants can't reach. Comfrey is high in just about every nutrient a plant needs, including the big three, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and many trace elements.

What is comfrey for?

Comfrey is an herbal supplement used for conditions such as bronchitis, bruises (topical use), cancer, cough (persistent), fractures (topical use), peptic ulcer, rheumatism, skin ulcers (topical use), sprains (topical use), wound healing (topical use), gastritis, ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, and to gargle for gum ...

What is comfrey good for in the garden?

Use as a mulch. Chop up comfrey leaves with grass cuttings, and place a 5cm layer on the surface of the soil around all plants. This will slowly rot down to provide nutrients, and act as a mulch to keep in moisture and help control weeds. ... As they break down, the plant roots will access the potassium-rich fertiliser.

Which plants like comfrey feed?

It's especially rich in potassium, making it the ideal feed to promote flowers and fruits in a range of plants, including tomatoes.

Is borage the same as comfrey?

Though they are members of the same family, comfrey and borage are two different plants. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.

Are comfrey leaves poisonous?

It's considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration and European countries have banned oral comfrey products.