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Equisetum arvense (Field horsetail)
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3 hours care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.7m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Equisetum arvense
Other names
Field horsetail, Horse pipes, Mare's tail, Snake grass
Genus
Equisetum Equisetum
Species
E. arvense - E. arvense is a creeping rhizomatous perennial with fleshy unbranched shoots with spore-bearing cones in spring, followed by green, regularly-branched, deeply-grooved shoots until winter.
Equisetum arvense is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Can be poisonous to wildlife and livestock
Foliage
Cream, Green, Yellow, Variegated in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Regular hoeing can help control the spread. Also a heavy, light-excluding mulch can be used around ornamentals to keep this weed in hand. It will take several seasons before the weed is controlled.
Propagation
The single cone on each fertile stem can release 100,000 spores that germinate quickly on moist surfaces.
Propagation methods
Rhizome sections, Spores
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Where to grow
Equisetum arvense (Field horsetail) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.7m after 2-5 years.
Cultivation
Enjoys moist soil. The rhizomes penetrate deeply into the soil and is the main means of spreading. When these stems are broken-up, individual pieces will regrow very readily.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Equisetum arvense
Other names
Field horsetail, Horse pipes, Mare's tail, Snake grass
Genus
Equisetum Equisetum
Species
E. arvense - E. arvense is a creeping rhizomatous perennial with fleshy unbranched shoots with spore-bearing cones in spring, followed by green, regularly-branched, deeply-grooved shoots until winter.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Can be poisonous to wildlife and livestock
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Colour
Foliage
Cream, Green, Yellow, Variegated in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Regular hoeing can help control the spread. Also a heavy, light-excluding mulch can be used around ornamentals to keep this weed in hand. It will take several seasons before the weed is controlled.
Propagation
The single cone on each fertile stem can release 100,000 spores that germinate quickly on moist surfaces.
Propagation methods
Rhizome sections, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Equisetum arvense (Field horsetail) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.7m after 2-5 years.
Cultivation
Enjoys moist soil. The rhizomes penetrate deeply into the soil and is the main means of spreading. When these stems are broken-up, individual pieces will regrow very readily.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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