Comfrey Companion Plants: Boosting Your Garden's Health

The Importance of Companion Planting

Growing a healthy garden is a goal shared by many, but it can be challenging to achieve. Plants require specific nutrients and environmental conditions to thrive, and pests and diseases can quickly destroy all your hard work. Fortunately, there is a technique called companion planting that can help improve your garden's health and productivity.

Companion planting involves growing different plants together that have mutually beneficial relationships. Some plants can repel pests or attract beneficial insects, while others can fix nitrogen in the soil or provide shade for more delicate plants. Comfrey is an excellent companion plant that offers many benefits to its neighboring plants. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of comfrey companion plants and how to use them in your garden.

What is Comfrey?

Comfrey is a perennial herb that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It's also an excellent addition to any garden due to its deep root system, which brings up nutrients from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants. Comfrey leaves are rich in minerals, particularly potassium, and can be used as a natural fertilizer. The plant also has a high protein content, making it a valuable addition to compost piles.

Benefits of Comfrey Companion Plants

There are several benefits of growing comfrey companion plants in your garden:

Nutrient Accumulation

Comfrey's deep root system makes it an excellent accumulator of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. When the plant is cut back, the leaves decompose quickly, releasing these nutrients into the soil. Other plants growing nearby can then absorb these nutrients, making them more robust and healthier.

Natural Fertilizer

Comfrey leaves can be used as a natural fertilizer due to their high potassium content. The leaves can be cut and added to compost piles or soaked in water to make a potent liquid fertilizer. This fertilizer is particularly beneficial for fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, which require a lot of potassium.

Pest Control

Comfrey's strong smell can repel certain pests like slugs and snails. Planting comfrey around your vegetables can help protect them from these pesky critters.

Soil Improvement

Comfrey can also improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil with its deep root system. The plant's roots can penetrate through hard layers of soil, making it easier for other plants' roots to grow deeper and access more nutrients.

How to Use Comfrey Companion Plants

Now that you know the benefits of comfrey companion plants let's look at how to use them in your garden:

1. Plant Comfrey Around Fruit Trees

Comfrey makes an excellent companion plant for fruit trees, such as apple trees. The tree's shallow root system can benefit from the deep-rooted comfrey, which brings up nutrients from deeper in the soil. The leaves can also be used to mulch around the base of the tree, which will help suppress weeds and retain moisture.

2. Comfrey and Tomatoes

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and they require a lot of potassium to produce healthy fruit. Comfrey is an excellent source of potassium, making it an ideal companion plant for tomatoes. Planting comfrey around your tomato plants can help boost their growth and yield.

3. Grow Comfrey Between Rows

Growing comfrey between rows of vegetables can help improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil. The deep roots can also bring up nutrients from deeper in the soil and make them available to other plants.

4. Comfrey as a Mulch

Comfrey leaves can be used as a mulch around the base of plants. The leaves will break down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil and suppressing weeds.

5. Comfrey Tea Fertilizer

To make comfrey tea fertilizer, chop up comfrey leaves and add them to a bucket of water. Let the mixture sit for a few weeks until it turns dark and smells like ammonia. Dilute the mixture with water and use it to fertilize your plants.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Comfrey Companion Plants

1. Is comfrey invasive?

Comfrey has a reputation for being invasive, but this only applies to the variety known as Russian comfrey. Bocking 14 or Bocking 4, which are sterile hybrids, are not invasive and are safe to plant in your garden.

2. Can I eat comfrey leaves?

While comfrey leaves are edible, they contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It's best to use comfrey leaves for medicinal purposes or as a natural fertilizer.

3. Can comfrey be grown in containers?

Yes, comfrey can be grown in containers, but it requires a large pot because of its deep root system.

4. Can comfrey be propagated from cuttings?

Yes, comfrey can be propagated from cuttings. Take a stem cutting and plant it in moist soil, and it will grow into a new plant.

5. How often should I use comfrey tea fertilizer?

Comfrey tea fertilizer is potent, so it's best to dilute it before using it on your plants. Use it once a week or every other week during the growing season.



Comfrey companion plants can be a valuable addition to any garden. They offer many benefits, including nutrient accumulation, natural fertilizer, pest control, and soil improvement. Comfrey is easy to grow and can be used in various ways, such as planting around fruit trees, between rows of vegetables, or as a mulch. By incorporating comfrey into your garden, you can create a healthier and more productive growing environment for your plants.