Horsetail / Equisetum arvense, Care Botanical Garden Miami

Horsetail /  Equisetum arvense, Care Botanical Garden Miami

Check the Complete List of Plants, Trees, Ornamental and Medicinal Plants

Horsetail /  Equisetum arvense

Scientific Name: Equisetum arvense
Common Names: Horsetail, Field Horsetail, Shavegrass
Family: Equisetaceae

🌍 Place of Origin

Native across the Northern Hemisphere — Europe, Asia, and North America. Fossil records show Equisetum species thriving as far back as 350 million years, making it one of the oldest surviving vascular plants.

🪴 Growing Conditions

• USDA Growing Zones: 3–9

• Soil pH: 6.0–7.5 (prefers moist, acidic to neutral soil)

• Sunlight: 🌤 Partial shade to full sun

• Water Needs: 💧 High – thrives in wet or poorly drained areas

• Drought Tolerance: ❌ Low – requires consistently moist soil

• Indoor Potting: 🪴 Difficult; prefers outdoor wetlands or bog gardens

• Best Use in Landscape:
  Ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, low spots, or naturalized woodland gardens; admired for its prehistoric look and upright, reed-like shape

🌺 Uses & Symbolism

• Traditional Use: Revered as a healing herb in Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indigenous medicine

• Cultural Symbolism: Associated with resilience, purification, and ancient wisdom

• Other Uses:

  • Used historically as a natural scouring pad (rich in silica)

  • Added to compost as a natural mineral booster

⚕️ Medicinal Properties & Studies

• Traditional Uses: Used to treat kidney stones, urinary tract infections, wounds, osteoporosis, and brittle hair/nails

• Modern Findings:

  • High silica content strengthens bones, nails, and connective tissue

  • Acts as a diuretic, supporting urinary and kidney health

  • Shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

• Pharmacological Actions:
  Diuretic, astringent, bone-repair support, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

• Vitamins & Minerals:
  Silica, calcium, manganese, potassium, flavonoids

🐾 Toxicity & Safety

• Toxic to Pets: ☠️ Yes – may be harmful to livestock and pets in large amounts

• Insecticidal Properties: 🚫 None

• Pollinators: 🐝 Non-flowering – reproduces by spores; offers no nectar or pollen

• Other Notes: May be invasive in garden settings if not contained; spreads via underground rhizomes

🌿 Quick Symbols Overview:
🌤 Partial Shade | 💧 High Water | ⚠️ Invasive | ☠️ Toxic to Pets | ⚕️ Medicinal | ❌ No Pollinator Value | 🪴 Not Ideal for Pots

Horsetail Plant, Equisetum arvense, Ancient Medicinal Herb, Bone Strengthening Plants, Silica Rich Herb, Diuretic Healing Plant, Wetland Garden Plant, Toxic to Animals, Invasive Herbal Plant, Urinary Tract Remedy, Prehistoric Plant Species

Horsetail,
Equisetum arvense,
Silica Rich Healing Herbs,
Ancient Plants for Modern Healing,
Kidney and Urinary Support Herbs,
Bone Health Natural Remedies,
Natural Diuretic Herbs,
Herbs for Hair and Nails,
Traditional Herbal Remedies,
Plants Toxic to Pets and Livestock,
Invasive Medicinal Plants,
Wetland and Pond Plants,
Bog Garden Design Plants,
Field Horsetail Herb,
Natural Scouring Herb,
Prehistoric Plants in the Garden,
Fossil Record Plant Species,
Moisture-Loving Herbal Plants,
Organic Garden Soil Booster,
Medicinal Plants with Minerals,
Folk Healing Plants with History,
Urinary Health Herbal Tea,
Natural Tissue Repair Herbs,
Silica Source in Nature