Horsetail is one of the primeval inhabitants that have developed over millions of years into robust plants that are hardly damaged by environmental influences. They are absolutely hardy in nature. Winter protection is not necessary when caring for the garden. Horsetail in pots must be overwintered frost-free.

Frost cannot harm horsetails at all

Horsetail is hardy

The roots of the horsetail, actually rhizomes, lie very deep in the earth. They reach up to two meters into the ground. Frost does not bother the robust plant at all.

Winter protection is not necessary. You should only protect horsetail from strong winter sun.

However, some gardeners recommend covering horsetail by the pond with leaves during very severe frosts. In most cases, horsetail also survives very frosty winters without any winter protection at all.

Protect horsetail in the pot from frost

The situation is different if you grow horsetail in a pot or bucket. Here the earth freezes through very quickly and the plant dies when the winter has been very cold.

Therefore overwinter horsetail frost-free by:

  • put the pot in a protected corner
  • place on styrofoam or wood
  • wrap the bucket with bubble wrap
  • Cover the plant with leaves or straw.

Make sure that the horsetail does not dry out completely in winter. If necessary, pour some water into the bucket on frost-free days.

Alternatively, you can dig the bucket into the garden soil in autumn.

Overwinter pond horsetail and winter horsetail

Pond horsetail and winter horsetail are two species of horsetail that are grown in or near the pond. They are absolutely hardy and do not need winter protection.

However, the decorative plants do not tolerate solar radiation in winter. Therefore, protect them by laying brushwood or fir branches over the plant as shade.

Make sure that the twigs are removed in spring, as the falling plant remains will increase the nutrient content of the pond water too much.

tips

Horsetail is an evergreen plant that sets colorful accents on the garden pond, especially in winter. Do not cut horsetail in autumn, but wait until spring. Then you can cut back the horsetail or downsize the plant altogether.

Category:

Vegetable garden