Where to Buy Comfrey in Hawaii
Looking for Bocking 14 comfrey plants in Hawaii? This guide helps you find quality comfrey plants that can be grown in Hawaii's unique tropical climate. While Hawaii presents special considerations for growing comfrey, with proper care and placement, this valuable plant can thrive in many parts of the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii's tropical climate (USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-13b) offers year-round growing conditions but also presents unique challenges for temperate plants like comfrey. With proper site selection, variety choice, and management, comfrey can be a valuable addition to your Hawaiian garden, farm, or permaculture system, particularly in higher elevation areas with cooler temperatures.
Hawaii Comfrey Suppliers Map
Interactive map coming soon! For now, browse our curated list of suppliers below.
Local Comfrey Suppliers in Hawaii
We're currently building our directory of local Hawaii nurseries, garden centers, and farms that sell comfrey plants. If you're a Hawaii business that offers Bocking 14 comfrey or would like to start carrying it, please contact us to be listed here.
Online Retailers That Ship to Hawaii
These trusted online retailers ship quality Bocking 14 comfrey plants to Hawaii:
First Fruit Farm
Our own farm specializes in high-quality Bocking 14 comfrey crowns, roots, plugs, and starter plants.
Products:
- Comfrey Crowns
- Comfrey Roots
- Starter Plants
- Comfrey Plugs
Important Note About Shipping to Hawaii
Due to Hawaii's strict agricultural import regulations designed to protect the islands' unique ecosystems, shipping plants to Hawaii requires special permits and inspections. When ordering comfrey plants from mainland suppliers:
- Verify that the supplier has experience shipping to Hawaii and can provide proper documentation
- Be aware that additional fees and longer shipping times may apply
- Plants must be free of soil and pests to pass agricultural inspection
- Consider starting with bare root plants or comfrey roots rather than potted plants
Growing Comfrey in Hawaii
Hawaii presents unique challenges and opportunities for growing comfrey due to its tropical climate. The islands' varied topography creates several distinct growing environments:
Hawaii Growing Regions
- Windward
- Leeward
- Mountain
- Coastal
Hawaii Comfrey Growing Tips
- Elevation Considerations: Comfrey typically prefers cooler temperatures than Hawaii's lowlands provide. Higher elevation areas (above 1,000 feet) on islands like Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), and Kauai often provide more suitable growing conditions with cooler temperatures.
- Shade Management: In Hawaii's intense sun, comfrey benefits from partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Consider planting on the east side of buildings or under the filtered shade of trees.
- Soil Preparation: Many Hawaiian soils are highly weathered, acidic, and may be deficient in certain nutrients. Comfrey prefers a soil pH of 6.0-7.0, so test your soil and amend with lime if needed. Add plenty of organic matter to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Water Management: While comfrey is drought-tolerant once established, consistent moisture is important in Hawaii's warm climate. In drier leeward areas, regular irrigation is essential. In wetter windward areas, ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Variety Selection: Bocking 14 is a sterile cultivar that won't spread by seed, making it a good choice for Hawaii where invasive species are a serious concern. Never plant common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) which can spread by seed and potentially become invasive.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch (3-4 inches) around comfrey plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures cooler. Use locally available materials like macadamia nut husks, shredded coconut husks, or wood chips.
- Growth Patterns: In Hawaii's year-round growing conditions, comfrey may not follow the typical mainland growth patterns. It may grow continuously without a true dormancy period, though growth may slow during the hottest months if not adequately watered and shaded.
Seasonal Considerations
In Hawaii's tropical climate, comfrey typically:
- Wet Season (October-April): May show vigorous growth during the cooler, wetter months, especially at higher elevations
- Dry Season (May-September): May slow growth during hotter, drier periods unless adequately watered
- Year-round: Unlike mainland locations, comfrey in Hawaii may not experience a true dormancy period and can potentially be harvested throughout the year, though yields may vary seasonally
Add Your Hawaii Comfrey Business
Are you a Hawaii nursery, garden center, or farm that sells Bocking 14 comfrey plants? We'd love to feature your business in our Hawaii supplier directory. Contact us with your business details to be listed on this page.
Start Your Own Hawaii Comfrey Business
With growing interest in sustainable agriculture, permaculture, and local food production across Hawaii, there's an opportunity to start a comfrey business in the state. Hawaii's focus on sustainability and regenerative agriculture creates a potential market for locally-grown comfrey plants adapted to Hawaii's unique growing conditions.
Want to grow and sell comfrey in Hawaii? We'd love to help you get started and add you to our directory. Contact us for more information on starting your Hawaii comfrey business.