My garden, alive in my pocket.
Track my garden
🌿

Tuberous comfrey

Symphytum tuberosum · Boraginaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant tuberous comfrey: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Deciduous
Flowering
Spring (April-May)
Adult size
30 to 60 cm in height
Growth
Moderate
Hardiness
Very hardy (-15°C)
Origin
Central and southern Europe
Soil type
Rich, humus-based, well-drained

Care

Watering

Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during the growing period and in dry spells. Reduce watering in winter when the plant goes dormant. Avoid waterlogging, which promotes rot of the underground rhizomes.

Light exposure

Position your tuberous comfrey in partial shade or dappled shade. It tolerates sun in cool, humid climates, but prefers shaded areas in the afternoon to preserve its foliage.

Pruning and maintenance

Remove spent flowers to encourage better branching. In autumn, cut back the aerial parts to ground level when the foliage withers. Regularly remove dead leaves to prevent disease.

Soil

Choose soil rich in organic matter and well-structured. Work in compost or well-rotted manure at planting time. Tuberous comfrey appreciates slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Fertilizing

Apply well-rotted compost in spring before growth resumes. A balanced organic fertilizer at the start of the growing season is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.

Diseases and pests

Generally very robust, tuberous comfrey can be susceptible to powdery mildew in conditions of stagnant humidity. Ensure good air circulation and maintain hygiene. Rhizomes may rot in waterlogged soil.

Did you know?

Tuberous comfrey is a traditional plant used since the Middle Ages for its recognized healing properties in phytotherapy. Its name 'Symphytum' comes from the Greek 'symphyein' meaning 'to knit together', an allusion to its historical use in treating bone fractures.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

Add this plant to my garden →

Plants from the same family

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.