What is Comfrey?

Comfrey is an ancient medicinal herb that is being rediscovered for modern use. It is also used for improving livestock health, as well as a natural fertilizer for other plants.

Does Comfrey Grow Well in the South?

Comfrey is often described as an “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 and Europe--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 and longevity. 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, which means—properly tended—it can keep growing in the same space for many years. To set comfrey up for long-term success, start 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.
Comfrey may be hardy plant once established, but you need to start with well-prepared soil and give it the same care you would other garden plants to get it started.

**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. Another option is to move your comfrey to a fresh bed every few years or when the existing bed becomes too infested with weeds.

Comfrey is such a versatile and useful plant for any homestead! Start your own patch with our Comfrey Roots for Planting, and check out our Homesteader’s Guide for Growing Comfrey for a lot more great info on starting, propagating, and using comfrey!