Field Horsetail Plant Care
Equisetum arvense L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Equisetum arvense, commonly known as field horsetail or common horsetail, is a species of vascular plant in the horsetail family Equisetaceae. Like all horsetails, it is a type of fern.
Every 3–7 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Field Horsetail?
Water Field Horsetail every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Field Horsetail?
Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) belongs to the Equisetaceae family within the Equisetum genus. Field Horsetail is also known as Common Horsetail, Paddock-pipes, Pippin.
Field Horsetail displays an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Field Horsetail produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Field Horsetail?
Equisetum arvense requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Field Horsetail Need?
Field Horsetail thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Field Horsetail in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Field Horsetail Prefer?
Equisetum arvense grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Field Horsetail prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Field Horsetail?
Moist, sandy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Field Horsetail to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Field Horsetail?
Feed Field Horsetail every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Field Horsetail?
Repot every 1-2 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Field Horsetail?
Field Horsetail can be propagated through division, spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to water horsetail plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Field Horsetail Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Field Horsetail, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Field Horsetail?
Field Horsetail is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Field Horsetail Need?
Field Horsetail grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Field Horsetail as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Field Horsetail is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Equisetum genus — compare its care with other Equisetum species on PlantoScan.
Equisetum is part of the Equisetaceae plant family — browse all Equisetaceae genera and species.
Field Horsetail copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Equisetum Species
Other Equisetum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Equisetum arvense L., family Equisetaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 1061 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Field Horsetail, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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