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Giant Horsetail Reed

$4995 $9995
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Giant Horsetail Reed

Planting Instructions for Giant Horsetail Reed (Equisetum hyemale)

  1. Soil Preparation & Site Selection:
    Giant Horsetail Reed thrives in wet, poorly drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy, clay, and loamy soils. It grows best in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.5) and is often planted in boggy areas, near ponds, or along streams. For best results, choose a location with full sun to partial shade. This plant is ideal for low-lying, moist areas where other plants may struggle.
  2. Digging & Planting:
    Dig a hole deep enough to comfortably fit the root mass, about 6–8 inches deep. Horsetail spreads through underground rhizomes, so be sure to give it space to spread. You can also use a root barrier or plant it in a container if you wish to control its spreading nature, as it can become invasive. If planting directly in the ground, place the root ball in the hole and backfill with native soil. If planting in a water garden or along a pond, it can grow in standing water up to 4 inches deep.
  3. Spacing:
    Space the plants 2–3 feet apart if planting more than one. Horsetail Reed spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, so if left unchecked, it can form dense stands over time. In container gardens, be sure to plant in a wide, deep pot to give the roots room to grow without overcrowding.
  4. Initial Watering & Mulching:
    Water thoroughly after planting, ensuring the soil is well saturated. If planting in a moist area, keep the soil wet at all times. If you're planting in dry conditions or a non-wetland area, water frequently to keep the soil constantly moist. Mulching is not typically needed for horsetail reeds since they prefer very moist environments.

Care Instructions During Establishment

  1. Watering:
    Keep the soil constantly wet—this is essential for Giant Horsetail to thrive. If planted in a water garden or pond edge, natural water levels should be sufficient. If planted in regular soil, water deeply and frequently to ensure that the soil stays moist at all times. Giant Horsetail can tolerate occasional standing water, so make sure it never dries out.
  2. Fertilization:
    Giant Horsetail generally doesn't require heavy fertilization. However, if your soil is poor, you can apply a light application of a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in the early spring. Fertilizing is more important in container-grown horsetails, where nutrients may be depleted more quickly.
  3. Monitoring:
    During establishment, ensure that the soil remains consistently moist and free from drought stress. Watch for signs of dehydration, such as browning or curling stems, and increase watering as necessary. If planting near a pond or water feature, check to ensure the water levels remain adequate.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning:
    Giant Horsetail doesn't require much pruning, but it’s a good idea to cut back dead or damaged stems in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy new growth. If you want to control its spread, trim back any new growth or runners that emerge outside of your desired area. In water gardens, it’s also a good idea to remove dead plant material to keep the area looking tidy.
  2. Invasiveness Control:
    Giant Horsetail Reed can spread aggressively through its underground rhizomes, potentially overtaking garden beds or ponds. To control its spread, use a root barrier or plant it in a large container. Regularly inspect the area for rhizomes spreading beyond the intended space, and remove them as needed to prevent invasion.
  3. Pest & Disease Control:
    Giant Horsetail Reed is very resilient and rarely affected by pests or diseases. Its tough, silica-rich stems make it resistant to most insect damage. However, keep the plant’s area free of debris and regularly remove any dead or decaying material to maintain a healthy, clean environment.
  4. Seasonal Care:
    In colder climates (USDA zones 3–11), Giant Horsetail is hardy and can tolerate freezing temperatures. It may die back in winter but will regrow in spring. You don’t need to apply mulch or other protection unless growing in a container. In areas with mild winters, it remains evergreen, providing year-round interest in the landscape.

Controlling Giant Horsetail in Containers

  1. Container Growing Tips:
    If you want to limit the spread of Giant Horsetail, growing it in a container is an excellent option. Choose a pot that is at least 18 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes if planting outside of water. Use a mix of heavy garden soil and compost to provide nutrients, and keep the soil constantly moist. Place the container in a spot that receives full sun or partial shade.
  2. Watering in Containers:
    For container-grown horsetails, ensure the soil stays saturated. Consider placing the container in a shallow dish of water to help maintain moisture. If growing in a water garden or pond, partially submerge the container in water to mimic its natural environment.
What Customers say about the Giant Horsetail Reed:

The Giant Horsetail Reed thrives in Zones 8-10

Growing Zones for the Giant Horsetail Reed

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Giant Horsetail Reed.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 8-10
Mature Height 10-12 ft.
Mature Width 4-6 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Equisetum giganteum

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Giant Horsetail Reed - NationwidePlants.com

Beware- not all Giant Horsetail Reeds are the same.

Be sure to get superior ornamental grasses, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" ornamental grasses to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Giant Horsetail Reeds in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall ornamental grasses in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" plant, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy plant.

Giant Horsetail Reed adds bold, bamboo-like height to wet spots, water gardens and modern landscapes.

  • Tall, jointed green stems reach 10-12 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide
  • Thrives in wet soil- pond edges, bog gardens, even standing water up to 4 inches deep
  • Evergreen stems give year-round structure in zones 8-10
  • Easy care: rarely bothered by pests- grow it in a container to control its spread

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Giant Horsetail Reeds Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship small, weak plants grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants struggle after planting and take much longer to fill in.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Giant Horsetail Reeds, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in quickly and give you a tall, full clump sooner.

Read more about the Giant Horsetail Reed

Giant Horsetail Reed Plants

Architectural, Ancient Elegance – Perfect for Water Gardens, Borders, and Containers

The Giant Horsetail Reed (Equisetum hyemale) is a striking, ancient plant known for its tall, bamboo-like stems and rich, deep green color. This eye-catching, low-maintenance perennial brings a unique, architectural look to your garden, patio, or water feature. With its upright, reed-like growth habit, the Giant Horsetail Reed adds texture, structure, and a bold vertical element to any landscape. Perfect for garden borders, water features, or containers, this plant thrives in moist environments and provides year-round beauty, making it a versatile choice for modern and naturalistic designs.

Bold, Evergreen Stems for a Unique Garden Accent

The Giant Horsetail Reed is all about bold, vertical lines. Its tall, jointed stems grow in dense clumps and can reach up to 4-6 feet in height, creating a striking, bamboo-like appearance that adds dramatic interest to any setting. The glossy, dark green stems feature black bands at each joint, adding texture and contrast. This plant provides a sleek, minimalist look perfect for contemporary gardens or naturalistic, wetland-style landscapes. Its year-round evergreen presence ensures that it adds visual interest even during the winter months.

Why Choose the Giant Horsetail Reed?

  • Striking Vertical Growth: With its tall, reed-like stems, the Giant Horsetail Reed provides a bold, vertical element that stands out in any garden or landscape.
  • Year-Round Evergreen: This plant remains vibrant and green year-round, making it a perfect choice for adding structure and texture to your garden, even during the colder months.
  • Low Maintenance: The Giant Horsetail Reed is a hardy, easy-to-grow plant that thrives with minimal care. It’s perfect for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance option that still makes a strong visual impact.
  • Water-Loving Plant: Ideal for water gardens, ponds, or moist areas, the Giant Horsetail Reed thrives in wet environments and can even tolerate shallow standing water.
  • Ancient, Timeless Appeal: Horsetail plants are some of the oldest living plant species, dating back over 300 million years, adding a sense of history and timelessness to your garden.

Ideal Placement and Uses

  • Water Gardens & Ponds: The Giant Horsetail Reed thrives in moist soil and shallow water, making it a perfect addition to pond edges, streams, or water gardens. It adds a natural, reed-like texture to wetland-style landscapes.
  • Borders & Accent Plants: Plant this horsetail reed along garden borders, pathways, or as a striking backdrop for smaller plants. Its tall, upright growth creates a strong architectural statement.
  • Containers & Patios: Grow the Giant Horsetail Reed in large containers to bring its bold, minimalist look to patios, decks, or entryways. Its vertical form and evergreen stems add elegance to any space.
  • Modern & Zen Gardens: With its sleek, bamboo-like appearance, the Giant Horsetail Reed is an excellent choice for contemporary, minimalist, or Zen-inspired garden designs.

Growing Tips

  • Light: The Giant Horsetail Reed thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate various light conditions, it performs best in bright, indirect light.
  • Watering: This plant loves moisture. Keep the soil consistently moist, and it can even grow in shallow standing water near ponds or streams. Regular watering is essential if growing in containers or dry garden areas.
  • Soil: The Giant Horsetail Reed prefers wet, boggy soil but is adaptable to various soil types as long as they remain moist. For containers, use rich, well-draining soil to ensure healthy growth.
  • Fertilization: Fertilization is not often needed, but a light application of slow-release fertilizer in spring can encourage vigorous growth.
  • Maintenance: This plant is incredibly low-maintenance. Prune back any damaged or dead stems to maintain its appearance. Be mindful that it can spread quickly in optimal conditions; consider using containers or root barriers to control its growth.

Why Buy from Nationwide Plants?

When you purchase a Giant Horsetail Reed from Nationwide Plants, you’re investing in a high-quality, well-established plant grown with expert care. We offer:

  • Healthy, well-rooted plants ready to thrive in your garden or container.
  • Fast, secure shipping to ensure your plant arrives in excellent condition.
  • Expert growing advice to help you care for and enjoy your horsetail reed for years to come.

With its bold, architectural presence and low-maintenance care, the Giant Horsetail Reed is the perfect choice for adding a modern, minimalist touch to any garden or water feature. Its evergreen stems provide year-round beauty, making it a versatile plant for gardens of all styles.

Order your Giant Horsetail Reed today and bring a dramatic, timeless touch to your garden or water feature!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Giant Horsetail Reed

How tall does Giant Horsetail Reed grow?

Giant Horsetail Reed grows about 10 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide in dense clumps of upright, jointed stems. The tall, bamboo-like growth adds a bold vertical accent to water gardens, borders, and modern landscapes. Its stems stay green year-round for lasting structure.

Is Giant Horsetail Reed invasive?

Yes, Giant Horsetail Reed can spread aggressively through underground rhizomes and form dense stands if left unchecked. To control it, install a root barrier or grow it in a large container, and regularly remove rhizomes or new shoots that pop up outside the area you want it to fill.

How much water does Giant Horsetail Reed need?

Giant Horsetail Reed needs constantly wet soil to thrive and should never dry out. In regular garden soil, water deeply and often. Near ponds or streams, natural moisture is usually enough. Browning or curling stems are a sign the plant needs more water.

Can Giant Horsetail Reed grow in a pond?

Yes, Giant Horsetail Reed can grow at pond edges, along streams, in bog gardens, and in standing water up to 4 inches deep. It thrives in low-lying, wet areas where many other plants struggle. It is an excellent choice for adding vertical texture to water features.

How much sun does Giant Horsetail Reed need?

Giant Horsetail Reed grows best in full to partial sun and tolerates a range of light conditions. It adapts to sandy, clay, or loamy soils with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5, as long as the soil stays consistently moist or wet.

What zones does Giant Horsetail Reed grow in?

Giant Horsetail Reed grows in USDA Zones 8 through 10, where its evergreen stems provide structure and color year-round. In colder areas, it can be grown in a container and protected over winter. It is a non-flowering plant grown for its striking, ancient-looking stems.

Can you grow Giant Horsetail Reed in a container?

Yes, growing Giant Horsetail Reed in a container is one of the best ways to enjoy it while controlling its spread. Choose a wide, deep pot, keep the soil constantly moist, and apply a light balanced fertilizer in early spring, since container plants use up nutrients faster.

How far apart should I plant Giant Horsetail Reed?

Space Giant Horsetail Reed plants about 2 to 3 feet apart. Plant each root mass about 6 to 8 inches deep and backfill with native soil. Because the plants spread through rhizomes, they will fill in quickly, so leave room or use a barrier to keep them contained.

How do you prune Giant Horsetail Reed?

Giant Horsetail Reed needs little pruning. Cut out dead or damaged stems in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth, and remove any runners that spread beyond the planting area. Its tough, silica-rich stems are rarely bothered by pests or diseases.

Can Giant Horsetail Reed be shipped to every state?

No, Giant Horsetail Reed cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon because of state agricultural restrictions. It can be shipped to all other states. It is offered in 1 gallon and 3 gallon sizes, so you can choose a starter plant or a fuller clump for faster impact.
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