Symphytum officinale - Comfrey - Knitbone

Symphytum officinale, better known as comfrey or knitbone, is a vigorous, hardy herb with large, hairy leaves and nodding clusters of bell-shaped flowers in purple, pink or cream. It is a favourite with organic gardeners, who use it for mulch, compost and a nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser.

Key features

• Clusters of bell-shaped flowers, late spring to summer
• Deep roots bring up nutrients; leaves are rich in potassium
• Excellent compost activator, mulch and 'comfrey tea' fertiliser
• Very attractive to bees
• Approx. 1–1.2 m tall x 60–90 cm wide

Growing tips

• Full sun to part shade
• Grows in most soils; best in moist, rich ground
• Very frost hardy; dies back in winter and reshoots in spring
• Choose its spot carefully, as it is hard to remove once established
• Cut leaves several times a season for mulch or fertiliser
• For garden use only; not for eating