HORSETAIL REED

Horsetail, also called rough horsetail or scouring rush, is a non-flowering evergreen perennial grown where other plants fail. It has hollow vertical green stems with horizontal bands or joints similar to bamboo, but they're skinnier and taller like ornamental grass. Similar to ferns, horsetail reproduces through spores rather than seeds, as well as underground rhizomes. Horsetail is far from fussy when it comes to growing conditions and it appears impervious to diseases and pests. It grows fine in full sun or part shade, neutral or acidic soil, and though it thrives in humidity, horsetail tolerates any type of temperature.

Horsetail is usually planted in early spring, though it will survive planting at almost any time. This is an extremely fast-growing plant that achieves full height within a matter of weeks. Horsetail is toxic to grazing animals.1