Equisetum praealtum

Common Names

Scouring Rush, Horsetail

Summary

Equisetum praealtum is a native North American horsetail that forms dense, evergreen stands along riverbanks and other moist habitats, typically reaching about 2–4 ft tall with tall, unbranched green stems jointed and rough with silica-rich ridges, leaves are reduced to tiny black structures at each joint, and a spore-producing cone sits at the tip of fertile stems, giving a distinctive scouring-rush appearance, the plant spreads aggressively via rhizomes, forming dense colonies and providing a robust, reed-like presence in landscapes, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils, with a soil pH of 6.0–7.0, to limit in-ground invasion, rhizomes should be spaced 12–18 inches apart and planted 2–3 inches deep, with soil kept evenly moist using drip irrigation or soaker hoses and regular fertilization every 4–6 weeks during the growing season, if grown in containers, a large pot at least 12 inches deep is recommended, all parts are toxic to humans and pets, propagation can occur by dividing rhizomes or by seed after last frost (germination 65–75°F), and the life cycle begins with germination in 2–3 weeks, true leaves in 4–6 weeks, and vegetative growth in spring and summer, the plant can reach full size in 2–3 years and is commonly used for ground cover, wildlife habitat, erosion control, rain gardens, and stream restoration

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

3-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade; not full shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils, especially sandy or gravely with good drainage and a pH around 6.0–7.0 (alluvial floodplain/riverbank or streamside wetlands)

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist.

Soil pH

6.0-8.0, Tolerates alkaline soils above 8.0

Bloom Time

Does not bloom; reproduces by spores from May to September, with spores released in early to mid-summer.

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate (3–4 feet per season)

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Spores, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, with no information about attracting bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, or other pollinators