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Water horsetail

Equisetum fluviatile · Equisetaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant water horsetail: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

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ID card

Foliage
Deciduous
Flowering
Spring (spores)
Adult size
0.5 to 1.5 m in height
Growth
Very fast
Hardiness
Very hardy (zone 2 to 9)
Origin
Wetlands of Eurasia and North America
Soil type
Moist to saturated with water

Care

Watering

Horsetail loves very moist soils, even periodically flooded ones. Keep the substrate constantly moist, never dried out. In a pond or by the water's edge, it develops without additional watering; in a pot, water generously, especially during the growing season.

Light Exposure

Choose a sunny to partially shaded location for optimal growth. At least 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily will boost its vitality. It tolerates light shade but may become leggy if light is insufficient.

Soil and substrate

Favor soil rich in organic matter, silty to clayey, always moist. In a pond, plant it in the bank zones or in a submerged aquatic basket. Avoid sandy substrates that retain water poorly.

Pruning and maintenance

Cut back dry or damaged stems in late autumn or early spring, before new growth. Limit its spread by regularly digging up the rhizomes and controlling its propagation with a planting barrier or in a closed pond, as it spreads quickly.

Fertilizer

Undemanding, horsetail benefits from an application of organic matter (compost, rich potting soil) in spring. In a pond or naturally fertile soil, additional fertilizer is usually not necessary.

Diseases and pests

Very robust and little susceptible to common diseases. Prolonged excess shade can promote stem rot. Occasionally check that the rhizome isn't waterlogged in winter in a closed pot.

Did you know?

Horsetail is one of the oldest plants: fossils dating from the Devonian period (around 350 million years ago) prove it already existed in the age of dinosaurs, in giant forms reaching 10 meters tall! Its stems contain silica, which makes them abrasive; in the past, European engravers used them to polish wood and tin.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.