Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Symphytum officinale or Common comfrey

In the Boraginaceae family there is the Symphytum genus, made up of about 8 species of herbaceous plants from Europe. Some species are: Symphytum officinale, Symphytum asperum, Symphytum tuberosum, Symphytum ibericum.

Common names: Common comfrey, True comfrey, Boneset, Consound, Slippery-root, Knitbone. This species is native to Europe.

Symphytum officinale is a perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomes, hairy stems and branches from the base that reaches 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in height. The rough and lanceolate leaves of deep green color measure up to 20 cm (0.65 feet) in length. The hanging flowers can be pink, violet, white or yellow. It blooms from mid-spring to mid-summer.

Common comfrey is used in undergrowth, in flowerbeds and borders, in medicinal plant gardens and in pots for patios and terraces. The leaves and rhizome have medicinal properties.

Symphytum officinale grows in full sun exposures (temperate climates) or semi-shade (warm climates). It resists frosts up to -15 ºC (5 ºF).

The soil must be moist and contain abundant organic matter.

Water regularly so that the substrate never dries out completely; True comfrey does not resist drought.

Fertilize in autumn or winter with manure.

Prune off wilted flowers to encourage leaf growth.

Symphytum officinale does not usually have serious pest and disease problems.

True comfrey is propagated from seeds sown in mid- to late winter and by division in autumn or spring.

Images of the plant Symphytum officinale or Common comfrey