Giant horsetail
Equisetum telmateia · Equisetaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant giant horsetail: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Adult height
- 80 to 150 cm
- Growth
- Very fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20 °C)
- Origin
- Eurasia and North Africa
- Soil type
- Moist to wet
- Exposure
- Partial shade to full sun
Care
Watering
Giant horsetail loves constant moisture and thrives in marshy soils or by the water's edge. Keep the soil moist year-round and never let it dry out completely. In pots, regular and abundant watering is necessary.
Exposure
Place it in partial shade to full sun. It tolerates partially shaded areas but develops maximum vigor with at least a few hours of daily sunlight. It particularly enjoys locations by water features.
Soil and substrate
Prefer rich, moist to wet, acidic to neutral soil. It excels in peaty or silty soils and even tolerates temporary submersion. In pots, use a moisture-retaining mix (potting soil + peat).
Pruning and cutting
Cut stems to ground level in late winter or early spring, before growth resumes. This pruning rejuvenates the plant and controls its spread. You can also trim dried-out stems as needed.
Fertilizer
Giant horsetail appreciates soils rich in organic matter. Apply compost or well-rotted manure in spring. A light application of balanced fertilizer is sufficient; avoid excess nitrogen.
Diseases and pests
Very robust, it fears few diseases. However, watch for rhizome rot if there is prolonged waterlogging and poor drainage. Also check for rust or leaf spots in very humid and warm conditions.
Did you know?
Giant horsetail has existed for over 300 million years; its tree-like ancestors made up the carboniferous forests before the dinosaurs. Its stems contain silica, which once made it valuable for cleaning and polishing; ancient alchemists considered it a plant with nearly magical properties.
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.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Rough horsetailEquisetum hyemale
- Dwarf horsetailEquisetum scirpoides
- Field horsetailEquisetum arvense
- Water horsetailEquisetum fluviatile
- Marsh horsetailEquisetum palustre
- Woodland horsetailEquisetum sylvaticum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.