How to plant and care for Comfrey (Bocking 14)

Symphytum x uplandicum

🌿 Herb 🔁 Perennial

Comfrey 'Bocking 14' is a sterile, non-seeding hybrid, primarily grown for its abundant foliage. It's a dynamic accumulator, drawing nutrients from deep in the soil, making it excellent for chop-and-drop mulch, compost activator, liquid fertilizer, and animal fodder. It does not spread aggressively by seed.

At a glance: harvest in May.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Prune

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Comfrey (Bocking 14): what it needs

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Regularly when establishing, drought tolerant once established.
Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining · pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing: 60-90cm apart
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: Generally not required due to its dynamic accumulator properties. May benefit from an annual top-dressing of compost in spring.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9
Difficulty: Easy

Step by step

On planting day
Plant Comfrey Root Cutting
Plant root cuttings 5-10cm deep, 60-90cm apart, in well-prepared soil. Ensure the 'crown' (top of the root) is just below the surface. Water thoroughly.
3 days after “Plant Comfrey Root Cutting”
Initial Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks after planting to aid in root establishment. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
14–28 days after “Initial Watering”
Check for New Growth
Look for new shoots emerging from the soil. This typically occurs within 2-4 weeks, depending on soil temperature and moisture.
90 days after “Check for New Growth”
Allow First Year Establishment
Allow the comfrey plant to establish fully during its first growing season. Avoid heavy harvesting to encourage strong root development. Light harvesting of a few outer leaves is acceptable after 3 months.

Every year

March
Spring Mulch & Feed
Apply a generous layer of compost or organic mulch around the base of the comfrey plant to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and provide nutrients for vigorous growth.
April
Cut Back Old Foliage
If any old foliage remains from the previous year, cut it back to ground level to encourage fresh, new growth.
May
First Comfrey Harvest
Harvest comfrey leaves when plants are approximately 60-90cm (2-3 feet) tall. Cut the foliage about 5cm (2 inches) above the ground. Use for mulch, compost, or liquid feed.
July
Second Comfrey Harvest
Comfrey regrows quickly. Harvest again 4-6 weeks after the first cut, following the same method.
August
Third Comfrey Harvest (Optional)
If your plant is vigorous and the growing season is long, a third harvest may be possible 4-6 weeks after the second.
October
Final Fall Cutback
Before winter sets in, cut back all comfrey foliage to ground level. This prepares the plant for dormancy and provides excellent material for mulching or composting.