Equisetum, known by the common name horsetail, are a genus of very fast growing plants that are widely used to beautify ponds. In addition, they can also be grown in pots and have them on the balcony or on a terrace for example.
They are really easy to maintain, only needing to be placed in areas where the sun’s rays reach them directly, and receive plenty of water. Because, We are going to show you 10 types of Equisetumsince in this way you can decide which one to put in your home.
10 types of Equisetum
The genus Equisetum is made up of many species, in total, there are an estimated 15 accepted ones. We show you ten of them: the best known and / or popular, and therefore the ones that are easier to find for sale in case you want to buy one. They are as follows:
Equisetum arvense
Image – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Equisetum arvense it is the ponytail we have in Europe. In Spain it grows on the east coast of the peninsula and on the island of Mallorca. It grows developing stems up to 50 centimeters tallwhich are divided into up to 50 segments.
It has medicinal uses. From this plant they extract chemical compounds that are then used to make medicines, for example for diuretic purposes. The sprouts can also be consumed as a vegetable.
Equisetum fluviatile
Image – Wikimedia / Beentree
The Equisetum fluviatile It is a plant known as horsetail or river horsetail. It is native to the northern hemisphere, including northern Italy, central Spain, Korea, China, Japan, and some parts of North America. It develops stems between 30 centimeters to one meter in height.
A gigantic horse
Image – Flickr / Marcia Stefani
The A gigantic horseor giant horsetail, is a species native to Central and South America that reaches a height of 2 to 5 meters. The stems are thicker than those of other horsetails, reaching more than 3,5 centimeters in diameter.
Horses in winter
Image – Wikimedia / Liné1
The Horses in winteror winter horsetail, is a plant that grows in North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia. Its stems reach heights of up to 90 centimetersand they are thin.
It is widely used as a medicine, to treat kidney and urinary diseases, as well as the digestive system.
Japanese horse
Image – Flickr / Sausage Joel
The Japanese horse It is a common horsetail in practically the entire Iberian Peninsula, although it is found in temperate and tropical regions around the world. Develops stems up to 1 meter tall.
Currently, the name The most branched horse is considered a synonym of E. japonicum
swamp horsetail
Image – Flickr / Jeremy Halls
The swamp horsetail is a perennial plant native to North America and Eurasia known as marsh horsetail, pinillo, or short whiskers. Its stems are divided into 6-10 segments, and they measure up to 60 centimeters in height.
It can be used medicinally, to strengthen nails and hair, heal wounds, or as a weight loss aid. To do this, the ripe shoots should be taken in summer and allowed to dry.
Equisetum scirpoides
Image – Wikimedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Equisetum scirpoides It is a plant known as dwarf horsetail native to the Arctic Circle. It develops thin and short stems, only 30 inches tall.
Due to its origin, it is one of the most suitable types of Equisetum to grow in regions where the climate is temperate or even cold.
Equisetum sylvaticum
Image – Flickr / Marko Kivelä
The Equisetum sylvaticum It is a plant that we can find in the temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere, at an altitude of between 1200 and 1600 meters. In Spain we will see it in the Pyrenees, as well as in the Cantabrian Mountains. Its stems are very thin, and They are about 30-40 centimeters tall.
Equisetum telmateia
Image – Flickr / Ferran Turmo Gort
The Equisetum telmateia It is a plant native to Europe, western Asia, northwestern Africa, and western North America. It can reach a variable height, from 30 to 240 centimeterswith stems up to 2 centimeters wide.
It is used as an astringent, diuretic, and remineralizer, as well as to treat urinary problems.
A variegated horse
Image – Wikimedia / Bartosz Cuber
The A variegated horseor variegated horsetail, is a plant native to Spain, specifically it can be found in the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains. Reaches a height of up to 40 centimetersand its stems are up to a centimeter thick.
How are they cared for?
The Equisetum, or horsetail, are plants that, as we said at the beginning, do not need special care. Now, we do recommend some things so that you can enjoy them to the fullest:
- Location: put them in a sunny place, or failing that in semi-shade. It is important that you give them a little light from the sun so that they can grow well.
- Earth:
- Garden: they are not demanding, but they do not tolerate salinity.
- Pot: you can fill it with universal substrate for plants (on sale here!).
- Irrigation: it has to be frequent. In fact, if you have the opportunity to put them in a pond, or if as a pot you use a gardener’s bucket of those plastic ones (like this one they sell here!) with some holes made so that, in case it rains a lot, the excess water can come out, they will be wonderful.
- Subscriber: if they are in the ground it will not be necessary to fertilize them, but if they are in a pot it is advisable to fertilize them from time to time. For example, guano (liquid) can be useful.
- Rusticity: withstand cold and moderate frosts.
Do you like Equisetum?
