Russian Comfrey Plant Care
Symphytum ×uplandicum Nyman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Russian comfrey or Quaker comfrey is a common hybrid between Symphytum officinale and S. asperum.
Every 4–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Russian Comfrey?
Water Russian Comfrey every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Russian Comfrey?
Russian Comfrey (Symphytum ×uplandicum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Symphytum genus. Russian Comfrey is also known as Upland Comfrey, Hybrid Comfrey.
Russian Comfrey displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Russian Comfrey produces bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Russian Comfrey?
Symphytum ×uplandicum requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Russian Comfrey Need?
Russian Comfrey thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Russian Comfrey Prefer?
Symphytum ×uplandicum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Russian Comfrey prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Russian Comfrey?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Russian Comfrey to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Russian Comfrey?
Feed Russian Comfrey every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Russian Comfrey?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Russian Comfrey?
Russian Comfrey can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to comfrey plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Russian Comfrey Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Russian Comfrey?
Russian Comfrey is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Russian Comfrey Need?
Russian Comfrey grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Russian Comfrey as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Russian Comfrey is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Symphytum genus — compare its care with other Symphytum species on PlantoScan.
Symphytum is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Russian Comfrey thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Symphytum Species
Other Symphytum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Symphytum ×uplandicum Nyman, family Boraginaceae (first published in Syll. Fl. Eur. : 80 (1855)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Russian Comfrey is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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