Equisetum arvense subsp. fluviatile

RHS Plant Profile
smooth horsetail

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Equisetum arvense subsp. fluviatile?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
smooth horsetail RHS

Other common names

smooth horsetail, swamp horsetail

Synonyms

Equisetum arvense subsp. fluviatile, Equisetum limosum, Equisetum limosum var. ramosum

Aquatic Bogs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

An upright, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial to about 1m high, with mostly hollow, ridged and jointed stems with yellow-brown banding. Thin branches emerge in whorls around the stem nodes. On fertile stems, blunt spore-bearing cones are produced at the tips.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Equisetaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Equisetum are also known as horsetails or living fossils as they are the only living genus in Equisetaceae, a family of vascular plants which reproduce by spores rather than seeds. Plants have a rush-like appearance.
Name Status
Synonym

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, permanently moist soil, or in water up to 10cm deep. Good in containers, which can help to contain spread. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged stems to improve appearance

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free