Rough horsetail (scouring rush) Equisetum hyemale
Rough horsetail (scouring rush) (Equisetum hyemale) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Equisetaceae family, native to Northern hemisphere (wet woods and pond edges). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Rough horsetail (scouring rush) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Rough horsetail (scouring rush) at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Equisetaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern hemisphere (wet woods and pond edges) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Rough horsetail (scouring rush) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: stems
Contains thiaminase and silica; harmful to livestock in quantity.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rough horsetail (scouring rush)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Rough horsetail (scouring rush) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (10 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (10 plants)
Questions about Rough horsetail (scouring rush)
- How far apart should I plant Rough horsetail (scouring rush)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Rough horsetail (scouring rush) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rough horsetail (scouring rush) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Rough horsetail (scouring rush)?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Rough horsetail (scouring rush) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains thiaminase and silica; harmful to livestock in quantity.
- What grows well with Rough horsetail (scouring rush)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rough horsetail (scouring rush). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Spore plant (no flowers); jointed evergreen stems, popular in Japanese gardens; spreads hard by rhizomes.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca
- Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis x acutiflora