Since Comfrey is a native plant in many regions, it’s a real champ when it comes to handling local weather. That makes it a total breeze to grow in your own backyard! But if you want this wild beauty to really settle in and thrive for years to come, you’ll want to put a little thought into how and where you plant it.
Step One: Finding the Perfect Spot
Comfrey (or *Symphytum officinale* if you want to get fancy) is a sun-seeker. It loves warmth, so a south-facing spot in your garden is ideal. It’s okay with partial shade as long as it stays nice and warm—this means you can even plant it under deciduous trees, though you’ll want to steer clear of evergreens. Comfrey is also pretty hardy and can grow at altitudes up to 3,000 feet. Just make sure you give it plenty of elbow room! This perennial spreads about 20 inches around its root ball and will pop back up bigger and better every spring, so pick a spot where it can stay long-term.
Finding (or Fixing) the Ideal Soil
While Comfrey is pretty adaptable, there’s definitely a “sweet spot” when it comes to soil. If you get the dirt right, you’ll get a much more potent plant, which is great if you’re planning on using its healing properties (which, by the way, stay just as strong even after the plant is dried). Here’s what Comfrey dreams about:
- Moist to even slightly swampy ground
- Heavy, loamy soil (it loves that clay-like texture!)
- A pH level between 6.5 and 7.5
- Rich, humus-heavy soil with plenty of nitrogen
When to Plant for Success
If you’ve bought a pre-grown Comfrey plant, you can technically put it in the ground year-round. However, for the best results, aim for April or May. The extra light and warmth at the start of the growing season give it a great head start. One pro tip: pick its “forever home” right away. Comfrey grows a massive taproot that can reach 20 inches deep, which makes it a nightmare to transplant later. If you’re growing it in a pot, make sure the container is extra deep so that root has plenty of room to dive down.
How to Propagate Your Comfrey
You can easily grab a young Comfrey plant at a nursery and tuck it into a weed-free, loosened garden bed. It plays well with neighbors that like similar conditions, such as Wormwood. But you’ve got options! You can buy or collect seeds to sow outdoors in April/May (or start them indoors in March). You can also propagate it very easily just by using a piece of the root.
Quick Tip:
Since Comfrey grows wild in many areas and isn’t endangered, keep an eye out on your next nature walk. If you spot a small wild plant, you can usually dig it up and bring it home to start your very own garden patch!
