Most backyard gardeners know horsetail as that stubborn weed that just won’t quit. But believe it or not, this garden “troublemaker” actually has a pretty cool side! Some varieties are actually edible and can be a unique addition to your kitchen.
Which varieties are safe to eat?
First things first: you have to be careful with identification. Varieties that grow near ponds, like Marsh Horsetail, are toxic and can cause serious poisoning if eaten. On the flip side, Field Horsetail (also known as Common Horsetail) is non-toxic and actually packed with health benefits. The tricky part is that they look almost identical! You’ll want to take a close look at a plant profile before you start foraging. One big clue: with the safe Field Horsetail, the fertile spore-bearing stems and the green summer stems grow at different times. You can usually harvest these from spring through summer.
Flavor and Nutrients
The brown stems of the horsetail are soft and have a surprisingly mushroom-like flavor. The green shoots, however, are very bitter and aren’t great to eat raw. Pro tip: you can rinse out those bitter compounds by soaking the shoots in running water for about an hour. Horsetail is a mineral powerhouse, especially when it comes to silica, which is famous for supporting healthy hair and teeth. It’s also loaded with tannins, essential oils, flavonoids, and potassium. Plus, it’s often used as a natural remedy for urinary tract issues.
Which parts can you eat?
As I mentioned, both the green and brown shoots are fair game. You can even use the spore-bearing heads—try pickling them or cooking them up just like asparagus! The roots can also add a nice kick to various dishes, and the stalks are great for infusing drinks. And here’s a bonus gardening tip: if your roses are struggling with powdery mildew or other fungi, a homemade horsetail broth makes an excellent natural spray.
You can use horsetail in all sorts of ways:
- Tossed into veggie stir-fries
- Mixed into fresh salads
- Brewed as a soothing tea
- Blended into a healthy green smoothie
In Japan, people don’t spend their time fighting horsetail as a weed; they actually consider it a delicacy! It’s even commercially cultivated there, with the shoots being a popular choice for salads.
