Horsetail is a bit of a double-edged sword for us gardeners. While field horsetail is usually seen as a stubborn weed, other varieties are actually pretty popular as ornamental plants. If you’ve got these prehistoric beauties in your yard, there are a few things you should keep in mind to get them through the colder months.
How hardy is Horsetail, really?
Horsetail is one of the toughest plants out there—it’s been around since the dinosaurs! Over millions of years of evolution, it has adapted perfectly to its environment, meaning it can handle just about anything nature throws at it. That’s exactly why it’s such a resilient weed that’s so notoriously hard to get rid of. Long story short: this plant is incredibly winter-hardy.
The roots (rhizomes) can reach up to six feet deep into the ground, so even a brutal freeze won’t touch them. You don’t really need to worry about the cold, but you should watch out for intense winter sun. Horsetail isn’t a big fan of those harsh rays when it’s cold out.
Caring for potted Horsetail
Horsetail looks fantastic as an ornamental plant in containers, but overwintering a pot is a different ballgame. Since the soil in a pot freezes much faster than the ground, there’s a risk the plant could die off. To keep your potted horsetail happy, try to keep it frost-free with these tips:
- Move the pot to a sheltered spot near the house.
- Place it on an insulating base like wood or Styrofoam.
- Wrap the pot in bubble wrap to help retain some heat.
- Add a layer of straw or dried leaves on top for extra insulation.
- You can even sink the entire pot into the ground for the winter.
- Don’t forget to water it on frost-free days—it still needs moisture!
Horsetail near the water
Varieties like Water Horsetail or Rough Horsetail are often planted along pond edges or in water features. These guys are also totally hardy and don’t need much help surviving the frost. Some gardeners like to cover them with leaves, but it’s not strictly necessary. Again, the winter sun is the bigger threat here. You can protect your plants with some evergreen boughs or brushwood, just make sure to remove them once spring rolls around. And a quick pro-tip: wait until spring to do any pruning!
