Equisetum hyemale

RHS Plant Profile
rough horsetail

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rough horsetail visionspictures.com
rough horsetail visionspictures.com

Other common names

Dutch rush, Dutch rushes, pewterwort, scouring rush, scouringrush horsetail, shave grass, snake grass

Synonyms

Equisetum japonica

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A tall, upright, evergreen perennial to about 180cm, with hollow, jointed stems banded in black

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–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
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
Correct
Plant Range
Eurasia, N. America

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

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Remove any dead or damaged stems to improve appearance

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free