Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
Shrub
Origin
Europe, Russia
Madagascar
Types
Symphytum officinale (common comfrey), Symphytum asperum (rough comfrey)
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
28
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Cold Regions, stream banks
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
6-119-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
-
Sunset Zone
21,22
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
20.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
90.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Light Pink
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Orange Red
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Red, Green, Copper
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Red, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Oval
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Root Division, Transplanting
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Allow to dry out slightly between watering, Water daily during growing season
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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
Pruning
Cut or pinch the stems, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
14-14-14 Fertilizer, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, can go long without fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Stem spot
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Shallow soil, Sun
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
Sometimes
Sometimes
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Ants, Butterflies, pollinators
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Antibacterial, Peripheral Edema
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Acne, Beautiful Skin, Reduce Bruises, Remove blemishes
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Fixes Nitrogen
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Diarrhea, Obesity, Osteoarthritis
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Twigs
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Used for its medicinal properties
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Tropical
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
Symphytum asperum
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Comfrey,Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
Blackwort
Devil's Backbone
In German
Blackwort
Devil's Backbone
In French
Blackwort
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
Blackwort
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Blackwort
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Blackwort
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
Blackwort
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Blackwort
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Lamiales
Malpighiales
Family
Boraginaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Symphytum
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
Boraginoideae
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
352000
1
27800
👆🏻