About
Equisetum arvense, the field horsetail, is an ancient, non-flowering, perennial plant producing an extensive network of creeping black underground stems. In spring, separate, pale brown, fertile stems bear spore-producing cones; these are followed by the spreading, green, jointed, branching vegetative stems to around 80 cm. A vigorous and persistent plant naturalised widely in disturbed ground.
About the genus
Equisetum, the horsetails, are the sole surviving genus of a once-dominant group of plants, reproducing by spores rather than seeds. They produce jointed, hollow, ridged, rush-like stems with whorled, scale-like leaf sheaths at each node. Ancient and architecturally distinctive, they are grown in moist or wet gardens and containers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
SpreadWider than 8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesBorders, containers, mixed plantings.
Native toNorthern Hemisphere
Care notes
CultivationFound naturally in a wide range of environments including damp grassland, rough, waste and cultivated ground. If established in gardens its deep, persistent rhizomes (underground stems) make it very difficult to remove, but it is not strongly competitive so can be tolerated in some areas such as under mature trees and shrubs, and controlled in others. See horsetail for more information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationSpreads by spores but predominantly by underground rhizomes
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free