Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
Succulent
Origin
Europe, Russia
Southern Africa
Types
Symphytum officinale (common comfrey), Symphytum asperum (rough comfrey)
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Cold Regions, stream banks
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
6-11
10-12
Sunset Zone
21,22
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
White, Light Pink
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Orange Red
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Red, Green, Copper
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Red, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
Green
Leaf Shape
Oval
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Root Division, Transplanting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Allow to dry out slightly between watering, Water daily during growing season
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Cut or pinch the stems, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
14-14-14 Fertilizer, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, can go long without fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Stem spot
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Shallow soil, Sun
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Ants, Butterflies, pollinators
Butterflies
Allergy
Antibacterial, Peripheral Edema
-
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Acne, Beautiful Skin, Reduce Bruises, Remove blemishes
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Fixes Nitrogen
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Diarrhea, Obesity, Osteoarthritis
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Twigs
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used for its medicinal properties
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Symphytum asperum
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Comfrey,Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Blackwort
Elephant Bush
In German
Blackwort
Elephant Bush
In French
Blackwort
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Blackwort
elefante Bush
In Greek
Blackwort
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Blackwort
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Blackwort
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Blackwort
bush elephant
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Lamiales
Caryophyllales
Family
Boraginaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Symphytum
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
Boraginoideae
Portulacarioideae
Season and Care of Comfrey and Elephant Bush
Season and care of Comfrey and Elephant Bush is important to know. While considering everything about Comfrey and Elephant Bush Care, growing season is an essential factor. Comfrey season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Comfrey is Loam, Sand and for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Comfrey is Acidic, Neutral and for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Comfrey and Elephant Bush Physical Information
Comfrey and Elephant Bush physical information is very important for comparison. Comfrey height is 20.00 cm and width 90.00 cm whereas Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm. The color specification of Comfrey and Elephant Bush are as follows:
Comfrey flower color: White and Light Pink
Comfrey leaf color: Red, Green and Copper
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
- Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Care of Comfrey and Elephant Bush
Care of Comfrey and Elephant Bush include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Comfrey pruning is done Cut or pinch the stems and Remove dead leaves and Elephant Bush pruning is done Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts. In summer Comfrey needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering.