Giant Horsetail Reed

Light Needs

Bright Indirect Light

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3 - 5 Feet

Mature Spread

4 Feet

Feature

Rare

Create a bold, modern focal point with Giant Horsetail Reed. Upright, jointed green stems form dense vertical clumps that read like living bamboo—perfect along water features, in contemporary containers, or as a natural privacy screen. This ancient, low-maintenance plant thrives where many others struggle, loving consistently moist to wet soils and even shallow water. Use it to frame pathways, edge a pond, or add architectural texture on patios and balconies.

Horsetail Reed Care

Giant Horsetail Reed is adaptable to light, growing in sun to part shade and tolerating bright shade. In cooler climates it handles more direct sun; in hotter areas, afternoon shade keeps color rich. It spreads by underground rhizomes, which makes it excellent for erosion control and screening—just plant responsibly. For tidy landscapes or small spaces, confine it to a container or install a root barrier to control spread.

Keep the soil consistently moist. In beds and boggy spots, regular rainfall or irrigation is usually enough; in containers, check moisture often and water whenever the top inch feels barely dry. This plant isn’t fussy about fertilizer—most gardeners skip it—or use a light, slow-release feed in spring if growth seems thin. Cut out any brown or winter-worn stems at the base to refresh the clump.

Giant Horsetail Reed Information

• Light: sun to part shade; tolerates bright shade

• Water: high; prefers consistently moist to wet soil; tolerates shallow water

• Height/Spread: typically 3–4 feet tall; clumps widen over time

• Habit: upright, jointed stems; leafless, bamboo-like look

• Uses: privacy screening, pond/bog edging, architectural containers, erosion control

• Notes: spreads by rhizomes—contain with pots or barriers where needed; generally low-maintenance

Giant Horsetail Reed FAQs

Will Giant Horsetail Reed spread in my garden?

Yes, it spreads by underground rhizomes. In open soil it can travel, which is great for screens and erosion control but requires planning. Use a container, a lined bed, or a buried barrier to keep clumps where you want them.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Absolutely. Choose a large container with drainage holes and a moisture-retentive mix. Water frequently so the medium stays evenly moist; this species is happiest on the wet side and can even sit with its pot base in a shallow saucer of water outdoors.

How much light does it need?

It performs in a range from full sun to part shade and will tolerate bright shade. In hot summer regions, give it afternoon shade to prevent stress and keep stems richly colored.

Is it good near ponds or water features?

Yes—this is one of the best plants for wet or boggy areas. It thrives at pond edges and in rain gardens, and the dense rhizomes help stabilize soil.

How do I maintain it through the year?

Keep moisture steady, remove any brown or broken stems at the base, and divide or thin clumps if they outgrow their space. Fertilizer is optional; a light spring feeding is plenty if desired.

SKU:

NTHTRD