How to Grow and Care for Comfrey

Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe. It is most commonly found in Ireland and Britain and can grow in a variety of environments, from moist soil to areas affected by drought. Interestingly, it can grow even after being removed if even a small piece of root is left in the soil. The common comfrey is toxic if ingested.

Tuberous comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum) is a hardy plant found throughout Europe and introduced in western North America. Its leaves are slightly hairy and the fragrant flowers attract multiple types of bees. The leaves are mildly toxic when raw, but can be safely eaten if cooked. The root is also consumable, but is typically roasted, ground, and used as an alternative to coffee.

Russian Comfrey (Symphytum uplandicum) is a hybrid plant that occurs naturally in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. It is cultivated as an ornamental in gardens, most commonly used for shady borders. It has very large leaves and blue, bell-shaped flowers. It can spread aggressively through creeping roots.

Symphytum asperum is a flowering plant of the genus Symphytum in the family Boraginaceae. Common names include rough comfrey and prickly comfrey. It is native to Asia and it is known in Europe and North America as an introduced species and sometimes a weed.

Oriental comfrey is a herbaceous plant that can grow up to one meter tall and has a bushy habit. Its alternate leaves embossed oval-lanceolate are abundantly covered with stiff hairs. They have a short petiole and are not decurrent. Its white or azure flowers arranged in corymbiform panicles at the top of the branches flower on from spring to summer.