Description

The Equisetum fluviatile, commonly known as Water Horsetail or Swamp Horsetail, is a striking vascular plant that thrives in the shallow waters of ponds, swamps, ditches, and freshwater shorelines. Known for its unique, reed-like appearance, it grows in dense colonies, creating a bold, vertical accent that adds texture and structure to any water feature or wetland garden.

This plant flourishes in sluggish or still waters with mud bottoms, making it perfect for water gardens or areas with low-moving water. Its rich green, jointed stems provide an attractive, primitive look that complements the natural beauty of aquatic landscapes. A low-maintenance plant, the Water Horsetail is perfect for creating naturalistic borders or adding height and greenery to pond edges.

Features:

• Distinctive reed-like stems growing in dense colonies
• Thrives in shallow water, swamps, ditches, and freshwater shorelines
• Perfect for wetland gardens, pond edges, and water features
• Adds texture and vertical interest to aquatic landscapes
• Low-maintenance, hardy plant that thrives in slow-moving or still water

Enhance your aquatic garden with Equisetum fluviatile – a unique, prehistoric-looking plant that adds a striking element to your pond or wetland area, all while requiring minimal upkeep.

Repotting or planting

Bare Root and 9cm marginal plants require potting into a larger mesh basket. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. 1ltr marginal plants do not require repotting immediately, place in the pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish, plants over 60cm height growth will benefit from repotting into a larger mesh basket or should be planted in gravel to prevent them from falling over. Larger plants in 3ltr and 5ltr pots do not require repotting for many years as they are larger more established plants can be placed up to the maximum recommended depth. There is no need to remove the mesh basket.

Care instructions

Little maintenance is required. Trim just above the water surface after foliage has died back in Autumn to tidy leaving a little material to protect new shoots or trim in spring when actively growing

Colour

Green

Growth rate

Medium

Flowers

Jun-Sept

Sun/shade

Full sun to part shade

Season

Summer

Measurements in centimetres

Height Min -Max

30-100

Depth Min-Max

0-5