Smooth horsetail (Equisetum laevigatum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Smooth horsetail on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Equisetaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 2 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Smooth horsetail
Equisetum laevigatum, commonly known as Summer Scouring-rush, is a perennial non-flowering plant characterized by its hollow, segmented, bright green stems that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. It lacks visible leaves, instead featuring small, scaly bracts at its nodes. This plant is ideal for wetland gardens, pond edges, or as an architectural element in large pots, providing a unique vertical texture.
Native range
North and Central America
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in consistently moist soil or even shallow water. Watering should be abundant and frequent, ensuring the substrate never fully dries out. Use a substrate rich in organic matter with good moisture retention. A common mistake is allowing the soil to dry out, which can stress the plant and halt its growth.
How to save a dying Smooth horsetail
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown, soft and wilted, or dry and brittle stems. Lack of new shoots.
- First aid
- Check drainage and substrate moisture; Equisetum needs constant humidity. Prune the most affected stems from the base.
- What kills it
- Excessive dryness or prolonged waterlogging that rots the roots. Also lack of direct light or extreme cold.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the roots are not completely rotted or dried. Transplant to a more humid place with good drainage if necessary.