Three Tips for Growing Comfrey in the South
What is Comfrey?
Comfrey is an ancient medicinal herb that is being rediscovered for modern use. It is also used for natural livestock health and nutrition, as well as a living mulch for gardens.
Does Comfrey Grow Well in the South?
Comfrey is often described as a hardy, invasive plant, leading first-time growers to believe it is always an easy plant to establish in their gardens. While comfrey is a dominant plant in its native habitat--the cool wetlands of the British Isles--it is not so robust in warmer climates like our southern United States. In fact, it can take some serious know-how and TLC to get it going in a southern garden. Properly established and maintained, however, comfrey has remarkable heat tolerance. Full of benefits for your health and farm, it is a valuable plant to cultivate in any garden. Here are three tips to get your southern comfrey patch going strong!
1. Prepare the Soil
Comfrey is a perennial plant, so it best to set the bed up for long-term success for starting with a weed-free bed. Tarping existing soil or using sterilized garden soil can help your bed get off to a good start.
To establish a comfrey patch, start with a designated raised bed, a hügelkultur mound, or a large tarped area. Break up the soil and any existing hardpan. Fertilize with animal manure, compost, or chopped leaves. Keep moist and mulch well once comfrey has sprouted.
2. Water Regularly
Comfrey can survive hot summers. The deep roots hold onto the plant’s life throughout a long hot spell. However, surviving does not equal thriving. If you want an abundance of foliage to harvest in the summer, comfrey will need regular watering. If not irrigated, comfrey will produce spring and fall foliage but not summer. Shadecloth may be needed in desert climates.
3. Not so Invasive After All
While comfrey can be an aggressive plant in some climates, it is tamer in the south. Our southern tough-guys like kudzu, runner-grass, and even common mint will crowd out comfrey every time. Do not take your comfrey patch for granted and watch out for the weeds. Intermediate tarping (see our Homesteader Guide) is very helpful for keeping a comfrey bed going long-term.
Check out our Comfrey Roots for Planting, as well as our Homesteader’s Guide for Growing Comfrey for a lot more info on starting, propagating, and using comfrey!
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