Horsetail Plant is a non-flowering perennial grass characterized by its bright green stems and black horizontal bands. With a construction similar to bamboo, this ornamental evergreen grass does well in a variety of environmental conditions. A member of the Equisetaceae family, it will reach a height of two to five feet at full maturity and a spread of one to six feet.
Horsetail Plant Loves Wetlands
The grass is a perennial with hollow stems relative to the fern. It can create a unique vertical accent with its textured stems with abundant black rings. Many people add it to their water gardens, trough gardens, containers, and other wetlands areas to craft foliage during all the months of the year, including winter time. Each stem can grow up to a base diameter of one-half of an inch. Every stem node will possess a whorl of stem-clasping, minuscule leaves. These scale-like leaves fuse right into a one-quarter-inch grayish-ash sheath with fringe-like teeth. During the growing season, this grass will shed these teeth.
The Horsetail Plant Has Many Names
Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, this extremely fast-growing grass goes by various names. These include Equisetum Hyemale, Equisetum Arvense, Scouring Rush, Candocks, Puzzlegrass, Snake Grass, and Rough Horsetail plant. It has no severe threats of diseases or pest infestation. Due to its rhizomatous growth habit and deep rooting system, it's pretty easy for any green thumb to grow.
This evergreen perennial produces both fertile and unfertile stems. When a stem is fertile, it bears a pinecone-like fruiting head. This happens in mid-spring, and it takes on a distinctive light brown hue. The head can grow up to one inch in length and contains a plethora of spores for propagation.
Horsetail Plant Is Like A Fern
Like other ferns, this non-flowering grass is completely seedless and relies on spores for reproduction. Horsetail Plant fertile stems will wilt after propagation. Then, its sterile stems will grow to keep persistent vegetation throughout the fall and winter months. This herbaceous grass can survive in both shady and full-sun environments.