« Previous Plant | Next Plant »
Equisetum hyemale
Horsetail (Scouring rush)
Equisetum hyemale, also known as Horsetail or Scouring rush, is a vigorous evergreen perennial. Horsetail grows to about 2-4' tall, with thin bamboo-like stems. Equisetum hymale can be found growing in full sun to partial shade conditions, in moist locations like wet open woods, riparian zones, swales, and wetlands. They are an excellent species for disturbed sites and will spread vigorously by rhizomes.
- » Rapid rhizomatous spreader
- » Pre-historic species
Plant Characteristics
Additional Information
| Height | 24-48 Inches |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-9 |
| Color |
Green |
Equisetum hyemale, Horsetail, spreads from creeping rhizomes in an extremely wide range of soils from full sun to part shade. Growing 3-5' tall in dense dark green colonies this is a great choice for moist low spots where nothing else will grow. Although horsetail lacks true leaves or flowers it's beautiful cones and the upright stems add a nice vertical accent to shoreline edges. Evergreen colors carry well into the winter. Equisetum hyemale provides habitat for pond life and is a favorite perch of dragonflies. Historically horsetail was used for scouring, sanding, and filing because of the high silica content in the stems.