Propagating and Using Comfrey in the Garden

Comfrey is an incredibly useful garden herb and is very easily propagated through two different methods. Learn how to make many plants from one, and how to use the leaves and comfrey tea in your garden to help out other plants. Comfrey is a must-have for serious gardeners, and is a mainstay for those practicing permaculture.
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[@susanjordan2130]

The bees in my garden love the little purple flowers on my comfrey plants.

[@redwoodsgal]

Comfrey is a medicinal herb used by native Americans for centuries as a poultice for broken bones and bruises. I've made salve using it mixed with garden Plantain for sore muscles and even heard of a naturopath from Australia using it on her own shoulder for a torn rotator cuff. Side note my ducks can't seem to leave it alone so must be nutritious

[@SuperQuickfix1]

LOL roto tilled the garden and turned in a few Comfry plants and now have a garden full. Swearing every piece of root sent up a plant.

[@bobbistidham9140]

I live in zone 7. I have my original comfrey plant that is probably 15 years old. When I give someone some comfrey I just use a shove and get some root and part of the leaves. I tell them to put it in the ground. It generally doesn’t do well the first year. It looks like it is going to die. Water it Just wait. Next summer you will have a great big plant. Mine gets 3 feet tall. I literally get 3-4 cuttings a year. I cut it leaving about 2 inches above the ground. And in about a week I have new shoots of leaves coming up and away it goes. I think I will try pulling up one of mine and trying this. We are moving to a new place and would like to transplant them. Here in Tennessee if you rototiller over it...... everywhere there is a root it gives a new plant. I use it for so many things. I raised 4 kids and it as kept me from the emergency room with my kids several times. Great ankle soak if you sprain your ankle or have any swelling. I dry it and put it in jars for the winter. I also lay the leaves around other plants as it breaks down and gives so many nutrients to the plant.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Perfect explanation of how this plant works! Thank you o much for sharing your knowledge.

[@GoingGreenMom]

Same here in northern Indiana! Only way to get rid of it I hear is a really thick sheet mulch..... But I've used a chop in a lasagna bed a couple years ago and they rooted from the stems. 😂

[@carolschedler3832]

Thanks for the follow up! Makes a great difference to be able to see the results!

[@brendal.3352]

Comfrey has medicinal qualities, too. During the Civil War, soldiers looked for comfrey plants to apply to wounds. The wounds cannot be open, but comfrey helps with bruises and scars.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Yes it does. It is a good plant to have available.

[@claudettehernandez3402]

I cut my comfrey and soaked them then forgot about the when I went on vacation. I found them then watered my newly sprouting cucumbers with them. They are growing crazily😊

[@MeToo-rp6ny]

Thank you for this video. I've been wanting to grow comfrey (& telling anyone who will listen to grow it) for so long now. I'm not what anyone would ever consider a gardener. My family would attest to that. My youngest daughter told me "Mom, don't even look at the garden when you mow the lawn, because something will die." My Dad says I learned how to forage and eat weeds because if anyone gives me a living plant, it's as good as dead. I want to argue with them about this but I'm the only one I've ever heard of who killed a chia pet herb garden All that being said... At least I learned something new to try (& hopefully not kill by over watering or accidentally dehydrating, all out of love and really not knowing). I appreciate the extra knowledge you try to impart (even to those of us who need extra help). ❤️

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Me Too: It sounds like you will have a much better chance of knowing how to take are of your garden than before. Let us know the successes of your this growing season. Jim

[@claudettehernandez3402]

Billy from Perma Pastures Farm sells just portions of the roots. They came up the following year and I have 2 of the eight I bought. They are doing well and learning how to make salve and such

[@7owlfthr]

That is such a great channel!

[@litaknowes7294]

I love the return to show the success ..I have Four huge comfrey plants .from root chunks my dad sent .. was thinking of expanding .their Happy spot and this is the Perfect tutorial I'm in sweltery Mississippi fascinating seeing your landscape so different and yet Comfrey Thrives in all climes ..TY

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Yes, they do. Jim

[@pedrobardo2785]

My wife and I have discovered your channel and we are loving it! Your videos have helped us a lot, pity there is no translation in Portuguese, but we are very grateful for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thank you! Wish I spoke Portuguese! But your English is perfect. So glad you found us!

[@nadurkee46]

Boy, that wind is ferocious! Brings back memories of the September winds of my youth and watching the red Dixie sand blow all about town.

[@LindaSChastain]

I found you the other day because you look like my maternal grandmother from the 1960 - 1980. Red hair, mannerisms and smile. You could have been her sister or a niece. I enjoy learning from you as I did my grandmother in Boulder City then in Las Vegas. You mentioned Comfrey as an herb, I remember my Nana use to pick comfrey in her yard to make tea. I hadn't heard it shouldn't be ingested. Thank-you for sharing your knowledge. I love you in Christ. Hugs from northern California.

[@7owlfthr]

Do some research from herbalists & naturopathy. They use it. The risks are few & minor according to many, but the government is banning it...go figure🤔🙃

[@Stephenrsm7600]

Excellent video!! Watching you separate to make 1 plant into many reminded me of my mama!!! She used to do that, do root cuttings, and do clippings. Amazing how your 5 plants have just taken off. And the plants that got a dose of tea are thriving!!! Just makes me SO proud of you and how your work has progressed!!! Brava!!!!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

So nice of you--thank you.

[@gerreddy9287]

Well done. That's a great plant and great to feed your vegetables during growth. You can also use the common nettle weed if it grows in your part of the world (I'm in Ireland we have this abundantly) to do the same thing with regard to the mineral content. It's used to make a 'tea' and that's then fed to the growing vegetable plant. i also use seaweed as a food after it has bee steeped and the liquid drawn off and then fed to the plants.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

That is good information--thanks for sharing.

[@millicentyoung9392]

​@@RoseRedHomestead u

[@vikkisoderquist6013]

Wow! If I tried dividing the comfrey plant like that all pieces would have died. I'm glad they did very well for you. Tfs!

[@bettybarrett323]

I had an elderly couple living next door for a long time and the wife was a real knowledgeable plant lady. She gave me comfrey plants and told me how useful they were and how to care for them. They have been growing for many years now and are actually quite beautiful as ornamentals. We chop the leaves up in fall and Throw them into the compost and turn it in. The soil we get from there each spring is rich and black. We have made the tea from leaves and it truly is a horrendous smelly mess when it is steeping. Once poured around plants the smell goes away in a day. I have to move all my plants that grow near our foundation to have some very work done. I feela bit better about moving the comfrey now. I will plant it in a raised bed and let it rest there until we can put it back where it has lived for so long now. Thank you for the comfrey information.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are very welcome. Thanks for sharing your information.

[@rehaankatvaar394]

Hello Mrs Cantrell, I just happened to find your videos, I really enjoy them, you are the best teacher on all your professional videos, I learn a lot. Thank you. Blessings.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@susanjordan2130]

My comfrey grows in sun and in shade. They survive N Utah winters. I cover them with leaves till spring. They emerge in April.

[@PetLoves]

Love my comfrey.. mines just gone dormant in winter

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

I love this music.

[@rosehebrewable]

Great video! I just bought 12 1" root cuttings of Bocking's 14 off Etsy and so far nine has come up. I live in a really hot harsh climate but I have kept them watered!

[@blissfulacresoffgridhomest2098]

Sorry I had to pause your great video. Now I can listen fully. Thank you.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

No worries!

[@ppetal1]

Thank you for the useful demonstration.

[@charlescoker7752]

I took comfrey cuttings , put 1 cutting into a 6 inch pots. Put the pots in a tray of water. Let them soak in water until they had 4 inch leaves. Let them grow in the pots until they had 8 inch leaves and planted them . Out of 13 root cuttings. I had only one not to live.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Way to go! That is fantastic.

[@charlescoker7752]

@@RoseRedHomestead I forgot to mention I let the pots set in the water until they showed green leaves above the soil.

[@donreinier7281]

Iowa here, I just take a shovel and cut/dig part of the plant. This separation is then just planted. Great video, you inspired me!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Sounds great! Jim

[@anndraper972]

I am not a gardener but I found your video on comfrey very interesting. My daughter has a scientific mind and she watches your channel also. We will most likely have some comfrey around some of our plants soon. We are in Oklahoma, zone 8 I believe. I was just fascinated by the green smoothie you made for your plants and how much better they were doing after only a few days. Your videos are always informative. Thank you and Jim for giving of your time to teach us. God bless.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Wow, thank you!

[@bonniekay6486]

In some areas, Comfrey roots can grow 10 feet down into the ground. Transplanting them may be more difficult in other areas.

[@GoingGreenMom]

Just dug a couple for my friend this morning. :) Never would have thought to dig an entire plant this way though. I just cut a wedge out of the root ball most of the time to give away. The ones I dug up today, 1 was from chopping too close to the ground and putting it in a lasagna bed, and the other was a leftover root chunk from cutting a wedge out at some point.

[@juliavillanueva278]

Aloe and cinnamon also work really great for rooting!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Julia: Thanks for the information. Jim

[@christineelsey3104]

Interesting.. Thank you.. 😊

[@nadurkee46]

Fascinating information about comfrey. I appreciate your inquiring mind and scientific discipline to research and discovery AND GIVE THAT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TOMUS!

[@mairzydotes3548]

Very interesting as always. Thanks!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@conniegant7781]

Very good video. I’ve never grown Comfrey before but will be looking into purchasing some for our garden. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 😘

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blissfulacresoffgridhomest2098]

Threads and Jars sent me! We live in the Arizona Desert and the heat and wind is horrible here too. Planted Comfrey starts in my greenhouse too. So excited to find your channel!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Awesome! Thank you! And welcome!

[@itziahurtado]

thank u for such an informative video

[@selfhealherbs13ms]

Their all good, every single root. You can have a tiny bit of root and it will grow, I know, I now have so many plants of comfrey never under estimated the comfrey root, it can be a size of a dot. I've had it come right up. 😊it's a happy growing plant.

[@robynbrown9084]

Wonderfully done! I’m an avid comfrey lover and I learned something new! Clap clap clap! Keep sharing

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thank you! Jim

[@sweaterdoll]

Thanks for showing comfrey propagation. I do use it medicinally so I have been trying to grow it and now have two struggling plants in August. I had to transplant them into pots and the leaves died back immediately but sent up new ones so I'm hopeful. I did not separate roots. It really shines as a salve. Comfrey salve is fantastic for sores and wound healing. I plan to use it like you have in my garden, and I have four chickens and I hear chickens love the leaves, but I haven't tried it yet.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are welcome. Thanks for sharing what you do with comfrey! Good information.

[@Michelle-oz1jc]

Great video - I plan to get some comfrey in my garden!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Go for it! Thanks for watching.

[@zino6661]

from similar plant to what you were showing, I got around 30 plants. You don't have to be careful as you were doing separating the roots and saying "this is good and this is not good". Every single piece of Comfrey will grow into a plant no matter what.. I simply broke small pieces of the root (some with leaves and some without around 1" to 2" long) , dug around 2" deep and buried it, and I got plant from every single one.. When I started, I originally got 1 Russian Comfrey root. It's been few years now and have hundredssss of Comfrey plant everywhere around my Peach/Pears and olive trees.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

That is fantastic! We have not started planting our comfrey yet this spring. Jim

[@jasons-jungle]

There is another way to propagate comfrey without having to dig it up - I take stem cuttings when I harvest the leaves - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYibdqaZhsummJY I don't know if yours is a different variety to mine (mine is bocking 14) but I couldn't dig mine up like that as the roots go far too deep. If you have a lawn mower run it over the leaves after you've harvested them to chop them up fine. You can also dry the comfrey and add it to planting holes to give new plants a bit of a boost - that's often done with potatoes over here. If you cram a bucket with a lid on full of leaves but WITHOUT water it creates a stronger plant feed. Stinks to high heaven but it does the tomatoes a treat.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks for all these tips and the link--excellent information.

[@triniandahalf]

Thanks! @jasons-jungle. Your comfrey looks more like ours in Germany, so thank you for the additional info.

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

Yes this was really successful.

[@selfhealherbs13ms]

Looking in your Playlist and come across comfrey, I love the taste and scent of this, been growing comfrey afew yrs now and harvest to dry all the 🍃 for infusion to drink for the wk along with my other herb linden, stingy nettle and more.

[@marshaclark6144]

I read not to ingest it as it causes liver damage. True or false???

[@selfhealherbs13ms]

@@marshaclark6144 Not according to the comfrey conference Susan Weed had a year ago. Was very interesting lots of herbalists speaking about comfrey.

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Thank you

[@helensarkisian7491]

That wind sounds like the Santa Ana’s we get in So. Cal.

[@elouisesherwood1268]

Great info

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kimberlyhughes4515]

Thank you for this, Pam! I just received some cuttings that I ordered, and can't wait to plant them tomorrow! So many good uses! From N.E. OHIO💝

[@RoseRedHomestead]

I love comfrey! We now have one plant that makes it through the winter every year so I can make cuttings and grow more.

[@lindalindaj1683]

Thank you. I wanted to know what to do with comfrey. It grows everywhere here on our little place in town.

[@joinmeinthedirt5186]

I have been waiting for a tutorial like this, I bought 2 Comfrey plants 2 months ago and want to separate them for more. Every time a leaf doesn’t look good while getting established I throw them into a bucket of water for fertilizer. Thank you

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are braver than I am--that fermenting smell is just too much for me! But glad it works for you. Glad this information was useful for you. Thanks for watching.

[@bhobbs2584]

Pam, get yourself some horse compost and add it around your Comfrey and you will see how much FASTER it will grow!

[@joinmeinthedirt5186]

B Hobbs I will, thank you for the suggestion.

[@debbiegibson6113]

Comfrey goes dormant every year. It will come back next year.

[@cindyskillman544]

I really enjoy your videos; they're so well-made and informative. Thanks for putting these out! I'm guessing you're working with the Bocking 14 strain of comfrey? I planted some roots (B-14) year before last. They were getting slimy by the time the post got them to me, but I put them out anyway and maybe a third of them came up. I was pleased, considering. It grew last year but I wouldn't say it thrived. I'm not a horticulturist and have been afraid to mess with it lest I kill it but now maybe I'll venture to dig some up and follow your lead in dividing it (if it's survived the unusually cold winter this year). I really appreciate your video showing how you did this. 🥰 Since then I've learned that the fertile "common comfrey" is said to be safer for consumption. (I'm not going to consume it.) They say it's also better for topical medicine & for feeding livestock. I ordered some, hoping for greater vigor. I'm not too worried about it taking over my world though I'll be taking precautions. I'm just hoping it will help me feed my poultry more independently. We're in SD, by the way, in the Black Hills at ~6,000 ft, so somewhat near your old stomping grounds. Thanks again!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

I still struggle with getting comfrey to survive our winters here. I am waiting to see how many of my transplants from last year make it through. So far, no sign of any of them coming up. Yes, comfrey is OK for external treatment, but not safe to ingest. SD is beautiful! I presented a paper there at an academic conference several years ago and loved it!

[@sonjablankenship8565]

Where can we buy the comfrey plants?

[@TacklingTheGiants]

​@@RoseRedHomesteadI've seen people say the true comfrey(one that produces seeds) does better in hotter climates than the Russian comfrey(sterile).

[@janicemartin1580]

Excellent coverage. I just buried a few comfrey leaves a week ago, beside a very anemic asparagus stand. Totally perked and greened it up! I usually do the bury leaves method (because of the comfrey tea stench) but will try your blender method. The only medicinal use of comfrey that I consistently use, is a comfrey poultice on broken toes. It works miracles on broken toes! I actually tore my baby toe off my foot when I did not have access to medical attention. I gritted my teeth and yanked it back in place, then kept a damp comfrey poultice on it, held in place with damp paper towels and handy wrap. When I was finally able to get to orthopedic dr about week & half later, he wanted to know why I came to him instead of going back to the dr. that set it! 🤣 "He did a very good job." Thank you comfrey!

[@lynsmith2698]

Very interesting video thanks so much for sharing. I wonder if cat mint grows will grow here. Next year i am planting a bee garden for my honey bees. Thanks again.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It is a very hardy herb and certainly does well in our harsh climate. We always grow lots of plants for our bees--it is very rewarding--and sweet!

[@lynsmith2698]

@@RoseRedHomestead great thank you i will check them out in my seed catalog

[@PastaMakerCordy-qy4uz]

Comfrey roots go down almost 10’ deep

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks for the tip. Jim

[@gerreddy9287]

Rose, how did you figure out which end up was the bottom for the roots you cut or does it matter ?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It hasn't mattered in the past, but sometimes I have put them in sideways so they can decide which way they want to grow! Thanks for watching.

[@viviannetodd4274]

It is very interesting that you can't get comfrey to survive. I moved mine, and several years later, I am still trying to get rid of the first area.

[@muddyshoesgardener]

I appreciate this video but I haven’t had any luck growing comfrey. They don’t sell it in Maryland and the comfrey that I have bought hasn’t grown. Any sources for this wonderful plant? Thanks.

[@gardenhoe1000]

What zone do you live in? I have very aggressive Comfrey, spreads everywhere in zone 5. Thanks for the info.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We live in 7b. Comfrey comes in two varieties--the type that spreads like what you have, and the kind that doesn't like what I have. Thanks for watching.

[@nadurkee46]

Is comfrey a plant you plant yourself or does it grow wild like a weed?

[@bellasouthward5362]

Soil Pam. Soil. Not dirt. 😉 Always informative. What cultivator do you have?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We have found that a cultivator is difficult to operate in literally rock hard soil and especially when the area is full of rocks that you did not know were there you ran over them. Jim

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Thank you for the disclaimer regarding issues with ingesting comfrey. All my life I think I have heard of comfrey tea and was sad to hear ingesting comfrey or putting it on open wounds as a salve is not good. I saw Old Alabama Gardener lay it along rows of garden vegetables and lightly cover with soil. He mentioned it was a type of fertilizer. But now I am wondering, if it is not good to ingest but then we apply it to our edible plants...is this not wise? Just curious of your and other folks thoughts. I will research this some to see what to do. I have 3 comfrey plants and would enjoy having them growing here and there on the property even if I cannot use them for fertilize on edibles. Thank you for your help. Jesus bless.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It is the alkaloids in comfrey that are so bad. When it decomposes and fertilizes other plants, those edible plants do not take up the alkaloids--only the good stuff!

[@peggymason7438]

Traditionally, comfrey is also known as bone knit, as it helps heal and relieves pain. My understanding is that it's toxic.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It is toxic and should never be ingested, but it is an excellent external herb for treating several things. Thanks for your comments. Here is a link with more information: www.healthline.com/health/what-is-comfrey#uses

[@peggymason7438]

@@RoseRedHomestead Thanks. We grow comfrey too and I step it and ginger in hot oil for a pain reliever. They do say not to rub it in open wounds though. I've never researched propagating it, though. Good video!

[@cheryllamb8831]

Besides your intelligence, you are quite a striking Beauty

[@jeffherrington4048]

How do I get comfrey seeds?

[@drrahilakurdi5943]

🍎🍎

[@faylea-smith1037]

We had some excavation work done and the clay and poor soil was placed over the back yard covering comfrey plants. The comfrey returned growing up through the clay and keeps popping up all over the yard and I can't get rid of it, very hardy Melbourne Australia

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Oh wow! What a story! There are two kinds of comfrey--the type that spreads and the type that doesn't. I have the type that doesn't. I knew comfrey was hardy, but I didn't know it was that hardy! Thanks for sharing.

[@edwardcuevas5667]

I wish we could just. Meet a have some fun

[@hoosierpreppingnurse]

Any recommendations on a good way to keep comfrey from spreading? I live in an neighborhood. I know to cut the blooms before it goes to seed. But containing the roots? Considering how deep the roots go would putting in a planter stunt it?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

I only plant the non-spreading variety for that very reason. It is very tough to contain those roots, but you could try it in a pot to see what it does.

[@brendalay5161]

Where do you find comfrey?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

I bought some root sections from a grower on Amazon.

[@tammydoyle6459]

Please what is the bush in front of you with purple blooms? I have one but cant figure out what it is. Thank you.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It is catmint and we have lots and lots of it around our yard. The neighborhood cats love to come lounge around it in!

[@kellyhartman5565]

I have a torn rotator do you thik the leaves would be better than a sauve?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

I really couldn't say. There is probably more information online that might have worthwhile information on that topic.

[@nathanrogers433]

Does comfrey have any medicinal purpose?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Nathan: Yes, but for external uses not internal. Jim

[@debraparker1550]

Where are you located ?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We live on the Colorado Plateau.

[@kathyhirsch379]

People use it on arthritis

[@debrahutson4357]

You really should not be digging it up that might be your problem, comfrey has a very long taproot it needs to be left alone so it can establish itself. I live in zone five and my comfrey is doing awesome. Once you plant it You should leave it alone and just trim off what you need don’t keep transplanting it and moving it if you want it to come back every year. You need to let that taproot establish itself

[@charlescoker7752]

Where is she located ?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We live in Utah.

[@nathanrogers433]

Can you drink comfrey root tea?

[@RoseRedHomestead]

It can cause liver and lung damage and cancer. Jim

[@serephiamccabe]

Just learned that it can be very dangerous and toxic to the liver. I learned this after spending two hours researching this plant and then one guy said its toxic to taken internally esp for the liver. He gave the name of the toxic substance but can't spell it sorry. If that's the case, anything you put on your skin will go into the body so is the salve made from the comfrey plant also toxic if it goes in through the skin??

[@triniandahalf]

Comfrey has been used externally for centuries. It is called bone knit in some countries. It can heal contusions even when the skin is not broken and is incorporated into many natural remedies in Europe (even potentiated / diluted and succussed for homeopathic use internally). If you continue your research you will find that. It is said to be liver toxic but if it goes thru the skin, the liver probably does not have to process it.

[@adaywihconnie5174]

Sad, that you must be a member of Patreon to get the rest of the info. Never gonna happen. Oter folks give it out for free!

[@lindarussell1932]

Have you started comfrey from seed?