How to Grow Horsetail Plant
Regardless of what type of horsetail plant you want to grow, there are several things to consider. Some of these things include the size of the plant, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the amount of water it gets. You will also want to take into consideration the type of soil you have in your garden. This is important as well, as some horsetail plants can be difficult to grow in certain types of soil.
Wood Horsetail
Several years ago, a horsetail stand grew to over 20 feet tall in Australia. This plant has multiple potential benefits, but the research has been limited.
Horsetail, also known as bottle brush, paddock pipe, and shave grass, is a plant that grows in both fields and woods. It has been used as an herbal remedy since ancient times. It has been known to treat internal bleeding and wounds. It also has properties that may be useful in treating bladder and kidney disorders.
Horsetail grows well in full shade and moist soils. It’s especially well suited for bog gardens and tub or trough gardens.
Traditionally, horsetail was used to treat wounds and enhance the health of the skin. It is also used as a diuretic. The tea made from horsetail can be brewed and consumed as a beverage. In folk medicine, it is often used to treat nocturia, or the inability to urinate. It also can be used as a hair rinse.
Variegated Horsetail
Unlike its cousin the scouring rush, the variegated horsetail has a somewhat tame temperament. It is not uncommon to see this plant in the wild, albeit in small quantities. It can be found in open fields, tame pastures, and weedy pastures, and in damp woods and bogs. Its best time of year is in the middle of the summer, and in the late fall. It is most common in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, but can be found in just about any state where there is water and a bit of land to spare.
The Variegated horsetail is a relatively easy plant to grow, as long as you have a few square feet of sandy loam soil. A little water and patience will ensure that you are the proud owner of one of the more impressive plants on the planet. The plant is also fairly easy to propagate. It makes an impressive flower and is a great alternative to the perennial grasses that can grow so profusely in the Midwest.
Barred Horsetail
Whether you are putting in an ornamental pond, or water garden, or edging your lawn, growing barred horsetail can be an interesting addition. The plant has a reed-like structure that acts as a protective maze for small fish and amphibians.
The barred horsetail plant is a member of the Equisetaceae family. It grows up to four feet tall and can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Depending on your climate, the plant will die back each winter and regrow in the spring. Generally, it will live for about 10 years if provided with ideal growing conditions.
The plant has a cylindrical appearance with green leaves and stems. It has black spines on its leaves. The stems can be trimmed or cut down to the ground if needed.
Traditionally, the plant was used as a diuretic. People who used it found their urine output increased. It also contains antioxidants and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Invasive Species
Often found in wet, marshy areas, horsetail is a very aggressive plant. It can be a weed and is considered an invasive species in Europe and Asia. This plant can be spread by rhizomes, spores, and seeds. The spread of this plant is often rapid and can be dangerous to humans, livestock, and wildlife.
The first line of control is to avoid disease and other pests. The second is to control the spread of Horsetail by using containment. This can include removing Horsetail reed, destroying it by hand, or destroying it by using weed killer.
The plant is non-flowering, but the cones have jumping spores that can spread throughout the plant. This is a problem because Horsetail is a plant that can be toxic to livestock.
Horsetail reed has been found across North America and can grow under concreted areas. It is often used in Asian-inspired designs. It can survive most winters, though it may lose its bright green color.
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