Comfrey Symphytum officinale

Common Name:
Comfrey

Description:
Comfrey is a vigorous and hardy herbaceous perennial, widely recognised for its large, textured green leaves and clusters of nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or cream. Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, this fast-growing plant forms a dense clump and is often used in permaculture gardens as a dynamic accumulator, helping to improve soil health. Flowering from spring through to summer, Comfrey attracts bees and beneficial insects, making it a valuable addition to productive gardens. It thrives in Melbourne’s climate, preferring full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate a range of conditions once established. With its rapid growth and deep root system, Comfrey is ideal for composting, mulching, or as a natural fertiliser source, but should be positioned carefully as it can be difficult to remove once established.

Form:
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 60–100 cm
Width: 60–100 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
Purple
Pink
Cream

Key Attributes:
Bee Attracting
Fast Growing
Herbaceous
Medicinal Herb
Perennial
Soil Improving (dynamic accumulator)
Can be difficult to remove once established

Toxicity:
Toxic if ingested by humans or animals due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may cause liver damage. Not recommended for internal consumption.

Companion Plants:
Fruit Trees
Berry Plants
Vegetable Crops
Lavender
Rosemary