Nourish your vegetables with this easy and inexpensive comfrey tea fertilizer recipe. It only takes a few minutes to make, and it lasts in a jar all summer long.

Comfrey Tea Fertilizer Recipe & Uses

Although we can't get an organic certification because we don't have enough land, we only use natural products in our garden and on our trees.

Comfrey tea fertilizer (Symphytum officinale) is one of the best homemade fertilizers you can make. Gardeners have relied on comfrey for generations because it's packed with nutrients that help support healthy plant growth, strong roots, and abundant flowers and vegetables.

The best part? You only need comfrey, water, and a jar to make this simple liquid fertilizer.

In this post, you'll learn what comfrey tea fertilizer is, how it works, its benefits, and exactly how to make and use it in your garden.

Although this is called a comfrey tea, it is not for ingestion. Neither people nor animals should ever ingest comfrey. Do not drink this liquid or eat the leaves. Keep away from children, pets, and livestock.

For more natural gardening ideas, check out these posts:

Making a small amount of this natural fertilizer? We sell 1 ounce bags of comfrey.

What Is Comfrey Tea Fertilizer?

Comfrey tea fertilizer is a nutrient rich liquid made by steeping comfrey leaves in water for several weeks. As the leaves break down, they release valuable nutrients into the water, creating a concentrated organic fertilizer.

Unlike traditional compost tea, comfrey tea doesn't require aeration or special equipment. It's simply made by allowing the leaves to naturally decompose in water.

Many organic gardeners use comfrey tea on:

Tomatoes
Peppers
Cucumbers
Squash
Pumpkins
Potatoes
Berry bushes
Fruit trees
Flower gardens
Container plants

Why Is Comfrey So Good for Gardens?

Comfrey is often called a dynamic accumulator, meaning its deep taproot reaches far below the soil surface to gather minerals that many other plants can't access.

Those nutrients become stored in the leaves, making them an excellent natural fertilizer once they decompose.

Comfrey tea contains nutrients that plants need for healthy growth, including:

Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Nitrogen (in smaller amounts)
Trace minerals

The high potassium content makes comfrey tea especially popular for flowering and fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and fruit trees.

These vitamins and minerals also make comfrey good for your skin. Learn how to make comfrey oil and comfrey salve.

Benefits of Comfrey Tea Fertilizer

Using homemade comfrey fertilizer offers several advantages:

100% natural and organic
Inexpensive to make
Recycles garden materials
Helps feed beneficial soil microbes
Easy to apply
Great for vegetable gardens
Supports flowering and fruit production
Can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers

Many gardeners apply comfrey tea every couple of weeks throughout the growing season to keep plants healthy and productive.

How Does Comfrey Tea Fertilizer Work?

As the comfrey leaves decompose, they release their stored nutrients into the water.

When diluted and poured around your plants, those nutrients become available to the soil and the microorganisms living there. Healthy soil biology then helps make those nutrients accessible to plant roots.

Rather than acting as an instant chemical fertilizer, comfrey tea works with your garden's natural ecosystem to support long-term soil health.

How to Make Comfrey Tea Fertilizer

Ingredients

5 pounds Comfrey
Water
5 Gallon bucket with lid

Instructions

1. Cut 5 lb of fresh comfrey leaves. You can cut the entire stems at the base of the plant; it will regrow quickly. Cut the plant into smaller pieces about 2 to 3 inches long and place in a 5 gallon bucket. Wear gloves when cutting because comfrey can irritate your skin.

For smaller amounts for houseplants, fill a jar about half full with comfrey and cover with water. I made a small batch for photo purposes.

3. Add water to the bucket to about 4 inches from the top. You can use rainwater if you have it. Learn how to harvest rainwater for your homestead.

4. Cover with a loose lid. This will produce gas from fermentation, which can cause pressure to build.

5. Place the bucket in a sunny place at least 50 feet from your home. It will stick.

6. Let it ferment for 2 to 4 weeks. Stir it once a week with a stick.

7. Strain the tea through an old screen and reserve the liquid. Compost the solids.

8. Dilute it with 1 part comfrey tea to 10 parts water before applying to plants.

How Often Should You Use Comfrey Tea?

Here's how to apply it for common plants:

Tomatoes: Use 2 cups diluted tea per plant every two weeks from first flower to harvest.
Peppers, Eggplant: 1 cup diluted tea per plant every 2-3 weeks
Cucumber, Squash: 2 cups diluted tea per plant every 2 weeks
Mature Fruit Trees: 3-5 gallons diluted tea monthly during the growing season
Raspberry, Blueberry: 2 cups diluted tea per plant every 3 weeks during the fruiting season
Leafy greens: Not recommended due to the high potassium content

Avoid over applying any fertilizer, even natural ones. Healthy plants benefit most from balanced nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Bocking 14 and common comfrey?

Bocking 14 is a sterile hybrid that spreads only by root division, while common comfrey produces seeds and can spread throughout your garden. Bocking 14 also produces more biomass and slightly more potassium, making it the preferred choice for comfrey tea fertilizer.

Does comfrey tea smell?

Yes. Comfrey tea develops a very strong odor as it ferments. It is best brewed outdoors in a sealed container. The smell disappears after it is diluted and applied to the soil.

Can I use comfrey tea on all plants?

Most vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees benefit from diluted comfrey tea. Use a weaker solution for young seedlings until they are established.

Can I use dried comfrey?

Yes. Fresh leaves are commonly used, but dried comfrey also makes an excellent natural fertilizer tea.

How long does comfrey tea last?

Once strained, comfrey tea can be stored in a sealed container in a cool place for several months.

Can I pour comfrey tea directly on plant leaves?

It is generally better to apply diluted comfrey tea directly to the soil around the base of the plant rather than spraying the foliage.

Comfrey tea fertilizer is one of the easiest homemade fertilizers you can make. With only a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you'll have a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer that can help support healthy soil and vigorous plant growth throughout the season.

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comfrey, fertilizer, diy, natural, gardening

Yield: 5 gallons

Author: Cari @ Homesteading in Ohio

Estimated cost: $0