Symphytum officinale
Common comfrey
Common names: True comfrey, Wallwort
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień (Nova) · CC BY 2.5 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Common comfrey is a powerful plant in permaculture gardens. Its deep taproots draw potassium and nutrients from the subsoil, and the leaves can be used to make high‑quality compost tea and mulch. In early summer, it produces bell‑shaped flowers that attract bumblebees.
Care instructions
Plant in a moist, partially shaded spot, ideally in a place where it is allowed to spread freely, its roots will regenerate from any fragment. Water generously during dry periods. Cut the foliage close to the ground three to four times per season and use it for surface compost or as a potassium‑rich plant tea.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, humus-rich, moist, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Borage attracts pollinators and is supposed to keep tomato pests away from the nightshade family.
For example PotatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberryChili and 8 more species in the catalogue
Source: organic greenhouse companion planting practice
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?