Horsetail is extremely unpopular with gardeners, because the plant can hardly be controlled once it has established itself in the garden. Field horsetail is even considered a weed. Pond horsetail, winter horsetail or Japanese horsetail, on the other hand, are ornamental plants. It is better to grow these varieties in pots.

Horsetail spreads very quickly in the garden, which is why growing it in a pot is preferable

Why it makes sense to care for horsetail in pots

Horsetail is spreading rapidly in the garden. The plant is very robust. Neither waterlogging nor compacted soil can stop the spread, because the herb prefers such locations.

Since the roots go very deep, you can no longer get horsetail from the garden once it has spread.

However, propagation via the underground rhizomes can be prevented if you cultivate horsetail in pots. The pot walls represent a natural root barrier.

This is how the planter must be made

Almost all horsetail species that you can grow in pots are marsh or aquatic plants. You need a planter that is not only weatherproof, but also has no drainage hole.

Since horsetail has deep roots, the pot should be at least 50 centimeters deep, preferably 80 centimeters. The higher the diameter, the larger the plant will grow in it.

Fill the bucket with nutrient-poor soil, sand or pebbles. Insert the horsetail and keep it nice and moist. Occasional short periods of dryness do not harm the horsetail. Rather, they ensure that not too many mosquitoes can multiply in the planter.

Horsetail in a pot is not hardy

  • Put the pot in a protected corner
  • Place the container on styrofoam or wood
  • Cover the pot with bubble wrap
  • Pour leaves or straw over the plant
  • alternatively: bury the pot

Horsetail is basically hardy, but the soil in the pot freezes through too quickly in very cold winters. Therefore, you should overwinter the bucket frost-free.

But don't forget to water occasionally so that the plant doesn't dry out completely.

tips

Field horsetail is valued for its healing properties. If you don't have horsetail in your garden, it's best not to plant any. It's better to collect it in nature - be careful not to catch the poisonous marsh horsetail.

Category:

Vegetable garden