Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Sep 23, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Horsetail
Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) is an ancient, hollow-stemmed perennial with striking jointed, dark green stems banded in black and white — a bold architectural accent for water gardens and pond edges. A Florida native (var. affine) hardy in Zone 9b, it thrives in wet to boggy conditions but spreads aggressively and must be contained. Starting at $6.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Clay, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Horsetail tolerates full sun to partial shade. In NE Florida, plant at pond edges, in water features, or in consistently moist areas. Full sun is fine with adequate moisture; shade is tolerated but growth is slower.
Horsetail thrives with consistently wet to boggy conditions and is ideal for water garden edges, rain gardens, or retention pond margins in NE Florida. Keep soil wet or plant directly in standing water up to a few inches deep; do not allow to dry out.
Grows in loamy, clay, or perpetually wet soils. Fertilization is not needed. IMPORTANT: Horsetail spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes — always plant in a submerged container or install a deep root barrier to prevent it from overtaking the landscape.
Similar needs
Lizard's Tail
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Papyrus
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Celestial Lily
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Blue Mistflower
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bacopa
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Banana
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Horsetail a good plant for St. Augustine?
Horsetail is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 2-5 feet × spreading (contain with barrier or pot).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.