How to Grow Comfrey in Australia
A year-round flower crop for the home garden
Growing your own Comfrey is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Free garden asset, dried leaves make a powerful liquid fertiliser (comfrey tea) that replaces expensive liquid feeds.
This guide covers when to plant Comfrey in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Comfrey is a year-round crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Comfrey part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 5 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 60 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
Dynamic accumulator, deep roots mine minerals. Chop-and-drop as fertiliser mulch, or make liquid feed (steep leaves in water). Bocking 14 is sterile, won't self-seed invasively.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Few. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Comfrey is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Fresh leaves use immediately. Dry for poultice use.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, comfrey is good leaves used externally only as a poultice and not recommended for consumption: contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver. Use as garden fertiliser (comfrey tea) instead. Nutritionally: dynamic accumulator bringing minerals up from depth and chop-and-drop improves soil fertility.
Companion Planting
Comfrey grows well alongside Tomato, Potato, Fruit trees and All plants (chop-and-drop mulch). Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Comfrey Growing
Add comfrey to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Comfrey in Australia?
Comfrey is a year-round crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Comfrey take to grow?
Comfrey is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Comfrey in a pot?
Yes. Comfrey grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Comfrey need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Comfrey in the Plant Library
