What are Horsetail Plants?
Horsetail plants, also commonly referred to as scouring rushes, are an ancient type of plant that belong to the Equisetaceae family. They have been around for millions of years and can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. These hardy plants can grow up to 1 meter tall and prefer wet environments such as wetlands or moist soil near rivers or ponds. Their hollow stems contain silica which makes them very abrasive when dry. This property was historically used by people to scour pots and pans, hence their common name “scouring rush”.
How to Propagate Horsetail Plants
Although horsetails don’t need much care once established, propagating them from seed is a slow process requiring patience and diligence. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Prepare Seeds for Planting
Start by collecting horsetail seeds when they ripen in late summer or early fall. Store the seeds until springtime when temperatures warm up enough for planting outdoors (usually April). The next step is scarification – this involves gently sanding off a layer on each seed so that it will absorb water more easily during germination (you can skip this step if your seeds come pre-scarified).
Step 2: Plant Seeds Outdoors
When ready to plant outdoors, choose an area with well-drained soils rich in organic matter such as garden beds or containers filled with potting mix amended with composted manure. Scatter your prepared horsetail seeds over the surface of the soil and then lightly press them down into place using your hands – do not cover them with any additional soil! Water thoroughly after planting but avoid overwatering since this may lead to fungal diseases developing amongst young seedlings later on in their growth cycle .
