The most important at a glance

How many species of horsetail are there?

Since the individual species have crossed frequently, there are no reliable figures on the number of species. Botanists assume there are around 20 different species.

Known types of horsetail

• Field horsetail: up to 50 cm
• Marsh horsetail: up to 30 cm
• Winter horsetail: up to 100 cm
• Giant winter horsetail: up to 150 cm
• Pond horsetail: up to 150 cm
• Dwarf horsetail: up to 10 cm
• Japanese horsetail: up to 130 cm

Differences between the individual horsetail species

Some Horsetail species like the winter horsetail form single, unbranched sprouts that look like small spears. Other species branch out so that several sprouts grow from one shoot.

Most species that are grown in the garden prefer swampy locations on the edge of a pond or body of water.

Horsetail does not form inflorescences

Common to all horsetail species is that the plant does not have any blossoms forms with seeds through which it multiplies.

Instead, sprouts grow that have a spore ear at the top. The spores are blown away by the wind.

They grow in spring and initially look like small mushrooms. In most species, the sprouts then recede. Only then do the mostly green shoots of horsetail appear with their characteristic leaf vertebrae.

If possible, plant horsetail only with a root barrier

All types of horsetail tend to spread widely, via the spores and underground rhizomes.

You should only plant horsetail in a pot, if at all, otherwise you will never get rid of the herb.

For other species it is advisable to check before the plants one Rhizome barrier to put on. It prevents the rhizomes from spreading through runners throughout the garden. The rhizome barrier must be sunk into the ground at least 60 centimeters.