Ready to grow? Get comfrey from our trusted partner nurseries and seed suppliers.
Links may earn GrowScore a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comfrey (Bocking 14) is a non-invasive, sterile hybrid comfrey cultivar that has become indispensable in organic and permaculture gardening — a deep-rooted perennial that mines nutrients from subsoil and concentrates them in its large, biomass-rich leaves. Unlike common comfrey, Bocking 14 produces no viable seed, so it stays precisely where you plant it. Its leaves are extraordinarily high in potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus — the complete NPK trifecta — making them ideal for composting, liquid fertilizer production ('comfrey tea'), and mulching around fruit trees and heavy-feeding vegetables. Growing in zones 4–9, established plants produce 4–5 cuts per year of massive leaf biomass. Beyond its garden utility, comfrey's traditional wound-healing use (its historical name is 'knitbone') remains well-documented.
Plant Bocking 14 comfrey root cuttings ('offsets') in spring or fall in any soil in full sun to partial shade. Space plants 3 feet apart. Water during establishment; once established, comfrey is virtually indestructible and drought-tolerant. Do not fertilize — comfrey mines its own nutrition from deep subsoil. Cut leaves to the ground 2–4 times per year once plants are well established (don't harvest in the first year). For liquid fertilizer, pack a bucket with fresh leaves, weigh them down, and cover with water; steep for 3–6 weeks. Dilute the resulting dark liquid 10:1 with water before applying to plants. Do not plant near areas where you don't want it long-term — while Bocking 14 won't self-seed, even small root pieces left in the ground will regrow. Wear gloves when handling — the hairy leaves can irritate sensitive skin.
More herb that grow in similar conditions:
Find the best deal on comfrey from top-rated retailers. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.