What's eating my comfrey?

Common Comfrey is largely trouble-free once established. Slugs attack young spring shoots, and scarlet tiger moth caterpillars feed on leaves — a sign of ecological value, not a crisis. Aphids may cluster briefly on new growth. The thick, vigorous leaves outgrow most damage quickly and rarely need intervention.

Irregular holes in young leaves and shoots; silvery slime trails on and around the plant Hand-pick at night; apply iron phosphate pellets around young plants in spring; clear debris from around the crown

Ragged holes and leaf edges chewed; black-and-yellow caterpillars visible on foliage in spring Tolerate where possible — this is a native moth of conservation value; hand-remove caterpillars to another host plant if populations are excessive

Clusters on young shoot tips; curled leaves and sticky honeydew; usually transient Hose off with water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies; natural predators drawn in by comfrey's flowers usually resolve the issue