Japanese Horsetail is such a cool, decorative water plant, and it’s a huge favorite among gardeners. The best part? You don’t even need a backyard pond to enjoy it! This hardy plant is actually super easy to grow in a pot right on your patio or balcony.
Growing Japanese Horsetail in Containers
If you’re looking to grow Japanese Horsetail in a pot, you’ll want to make sure the container is big enough. My top tip: choose a weatherproof, frost-resistant planter that *doesn’t* have drainage holes. Since this is a water plant, we want to keep that moisture in!
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The size of your pot really depends on whether you’re planting it solo or pairing it with other aquatic plants.
- Make sure the pot is at least 12 inches deep. Generally speaking, the deeper the better!
Choosing the Right Soil
Like most horsetail varieties, the Japanese version isn’t picky at all when it comes to soil.
You can use:
- Standard garden soil (just make sure it’s not too nutrient-rich)
- Sand
- Gravel
One thing to avoid is super rich topsoil or compost. These can actually cause rot-producing bacteria to grow, which we definitely don’t want.
Low-Maintenance Care
This plant is a dream for low-maintenance gardening. Just give it a little trim in the spring to keep it looking tidy. If it starts getting too bushy for its container, you can simply lift it out and carefully divide it. Other than that, it’s pretty much “set it and forget it.”
Winterizing Your Potted Horsetail
When planted in a pond, horsetail is totally winter-hardy and doesn’t need any help. However, container life is a bit different. Because the water in a pot can freeze solid much faster, your plant might struggle if it’s not protected.
You’ve got two easy ways to get it through the winter. The simplest method is to actually bury the pot in the ground; that way, even a long freeze won’t be an issue. If you want to keep the pot on your balcony or patio, just move it to a sheltered spot and place a piece of Styrofoam underneath it. Wrap the pot in some bubble wrap, or cover the top with brushwood or fallen leaves.
And don’t forget: even in winter, make sure your Japanese Horsetail doesn’t dry out completely!
Pro Tips
If you do decide to move your Japanese Horsetail into a garden pond later on, definitely use a planting basket. This plant spreads via rhizomes (underground stems), and a basket is the only way to keep its enthusiastic growth from taking over your entire pond!
