Skip to content

Common Comfrey

Symphytum Officinale

Design with this plant

Overview

Symphytum officinale, known as Common Comfrey, is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of bell-shaped, purple to cream flowers. It grows to 2-5 feet tall and spreads up to 2.5 feet wide. Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertility, Comfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Handle with care due to its rough, hairy leaves and potential skin irritants.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–8
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — This robust plant stands at around 2 to 5 feet tall with a similar spread and features a deep taproot system
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — commonly known as Common ComfreyCommon Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — is a perennial herb prized for its medicinal qualities and utility in garden landscapesCommon Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — making it fairly drought-resistant upon establishmentCommon Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertilityCommon Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of bell-shapedCommon Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — It grows to 2-5 feet tall and spreads up to 2.5 feet wide+108

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
4–8

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Boraginaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (115)

Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — This robust plant stands at around 2 to 5 feet tall with a similar spread and features a deep taproot system
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — commonly known as Common Comfrey
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — is a perennial herb prized for its medicinal qualities and utility in garden landscapes
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — making it fairly drought-resistant upon establishment
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertility
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of bell-shaped
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — It grows to 2-5 feet tall and spreads up to 2.5 feet wide
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Handle with care due to its rough, hairy leaves and potential skin irritants
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey serves not only ornamental purposes but also contributes to soil health
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — providing a delicate contrast to the lush greenery
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — tapering to a point.<br><br>From late spring to early summer
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — showcasing colors that range from creamy white to pink and purple
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — bell-shaped flowers emerge
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — with hairy leaves that can grow up to 8 to 12 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Comfrey's foliage is characteristically coarse
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — while beneficial to the garden
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — emphasize its dual role as both a soil enhancer and a provider of visual and ecological diversity
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Its leaves are rich in nitrogen and make excellent compost or mulch
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — contributing vital nutrients to surrounding plants
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — Favored for its medicinal uses and ability to improve soil fertility; contributing vital nutrients to surrounding plants
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — perennial for full or half
Common Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) — is a hardy perennial boasting clusters of bell-shaped; comfrey thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist

Related plants

Common Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens) — Heliotropium arborescens, the Common Heliotrope, is a fragrant perennial often grown as an annual

Common Heliotrope

Heliotropium Arborescens

Full · Zones 10–11

Tower Of Jewels (Echium Wildpretii) — the captivating Tower of Jewels

Tower Of Jewels

Echium Wildpretii

Full · Zones 9–11

Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera Macrophylla) — Remarkable for its foliage texture, it's ideal for woodland gardens and as a groundcover

Siberian Bugloss

Brunnera Macrophylla

Deep Shade · Zones 2–10

Lavender Heliotrope (Heliotropium) — The Heliotropium 'Lavender' is a mounded annual with green foliage and clusters of lavender-purple flowers

Lavender Heliotrope

Heliotropium

Tansy Leafed Phacelia (Phacelia Tanacetifolia) — Phacelia tanacetifolia, known as Tansy-leafed Phacelia, is an annual herbaceous plant

Tansy Leafed Phacelia

Phacelia Tanacetifolia

Full · Zones 9–11

Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia Parvifolia) — The Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia parvifolia) is a resilient

Little-Leaf Cordia

Cordia Parvifolia

Full · Zones 8–11