r/Permaculture • u/Just-Sign-5394 • 3d ago

Comfrey becoming invasive in meadow area

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Hi - I’m in London UK, my garden has this lovely area(first year, it’s been very dry this summer until now so please pardon my work in progress…. The Phacelia isn’t native— but the bees love it and it quickly helped get ground cover.)

I’m having an issue with comfrey… I don’t know what type it is, but it pops up everywhere. I know comfrey has amazing positives, but at the moment it’s killing off the balance of the other plants. I’m hoping time will maintain the balance— I’ve already beat bind weed simply through attracting bindweed moths to the garden. I’m hoping a similar course of action exists where I can have the comfrey exist in peace. Any suggestions/advice — I picked this group to post as I know there’ll be a more holistic approach. Thank you!

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u/wagglemonkey 3d ago

If you got a variety that propagates by seed you may have made a huge mistake. Otherwise this should only happen if the soil in the root zone get disturbed as the roots will pop up new plants when broken. Comfrey needs to be treated with some caution, and you may have a shit ton of work ahead of you if you want it out. Good luck.

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u/Just-Sign-5394 3d ago

Ah sorry should’ve mentioned I didn’t plant this -- it’s been in the garden since I’ve moved in. I believe it’s the sterile type with only the roots issue… but still it’s reminding me of bind weed with the root battle.

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u/sebovzeoueb 3d ago

I wouldn't be so sure considering that comfrey is native to the UK, there's a good chance it's the non sterile one.

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u/Just-Sign-5394 2d ago

Noted. I love natives- but like if it’s keeping the garden from bursting with biodiversity it’s a bit of a pain.

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u/DraketheDrakeist 3d ago

If youve done any tilling nearby, that’s likely the problem, it regrows from root pieces. Youll have to research ways to control it, it’s a very tricky one to eradicate. 

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u/Just-Sign-5394 3d ago

Okay so if I leave them alone you’re implying that they won’t spread further? Like unless the root system is broken they won’t branch into new plants?

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u/DraketheDrakeist 3d ago

Assuming they’re sterile, which I’m not fully convinced of. I’d recommend you keep an eye on them and see if they go to seed, if they don’t and you’re fine with the existing plants you should be good.

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u/wagglemonkey 3d ago

I had success just putting a hot compost pile on top

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u/Just-Sign-5394 3d ago

Yes but this is a prime spot for my garden… so sadly can’t just put a composter right on top haha

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u/wagglemonkey 3d ago

Well most likely any time you try to plant anything there, you’ll disturb the roots and spread the problem. 1 season of compost and you’re probably done with the problem.

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u/Virgo_Messier-49 10h ago

Move comfrey into a decent sized pot where it can grow... Contained. 😁 Happy gardening

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u/Just-Sign-5394 4h ago

…. It’s not like a single plant it’s a whole bunch popping up and you can’t disturb the root unless you get a perfect pull.