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Symphytum officinale

common comfrey

Boraginaceae Europe and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Symphytum officinale is a robust, clump-forming perennial growing 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) tall from a thick, deep black-skinned taproot. The large, coarse leaves are lance-shaped, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long at the base, rough and bristly on both surfaces, with the leaf bases running down onto winged stems. Nodding clusters of tubular bell-shaped flowers 0.5-0.7 inch (12-18 mm) long appear from May to July in cream, pink, or purple, coiled in one-sided sprays that uncurl as they open. The flowers draw long-tongued bees and bumblebees. Plants regrow strongly from the taproot and from root fragments, and self-seed, forming persistent clumps. The leaves and roots contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver if eaten in quantity. Cut foliage is high in nitrogen and potassium and is used to make liquid plant feed and compost activator. Foliage dies back in winter and regrows in spring. Established plants are hard to remove because root fragments resprout.

Native Range

Native to Europe and western Asia, in damp meadows, ditches, riverbanks, and other moist ground. Widely naturalized in North America and elsewhere, where it grows on roadsides, waste ground, and the edges of cultivated land.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb and kitchen gardens, orchard understories, and informal borders, spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart, often as a cut-and-drop mulch or compost crop. The deep roots draw up nutrients, and the cut leaves are used to make liquid feed. Its spreading roots and self-seeding make it hard to contain in small or formal gardens.

How to Identify

Recognized by coarse, bristly lance-shaped leaves with bases running down onto winged stems, and one-sided coiled sprays of nodding cream, pink, or purple bell-shaped flowers 0.5-0.7 inch (12-18 mm) long. The thick black-skinned taproot is characteristic. Distinguished from Russian comfrey Symphytum x uplandicum by its shorter stature and more variable flower color.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers from May through July, with the heaviest bloom in late spring and early summer. The coiled flower sprays uncurl over several weeks as new flowers open at the tip. Cutting plants back can prompt a second flush of flowers later in summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream, pink, or purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to partial shade in deep, moist, fertile soil and tolerates heavy clay and damp ground. Needs little water once established because the deep taproot reaches moisture, though growth is heaviest with steady moisture. Plants spread from the taproot and from root fragments left in the soil, so they are hard to move or remove once established. Cutting the foliage 2-4 times a season yields material for liquid feed and keeps clumps in bounds. Few pests or diseases affect it, though rust can mark the leaves. The leaves and roots contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that harm the liver if eaten.

Pruning

Cut the foliage to near ground level 2-4 times during the growing season to harvest leaves and keep clumps compact; the plant regrows quickly each time. Remove flower stems before seed sets to limit self-seeding. Cut back remaining top growth in late autumn after it dies down.