Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Fern
Marsh horsetail: when and how to prune
Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail is best pruned in March and September.
| Pruning months | March and September |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Marsh horsetail: when to prune it?
In September when mowing the wet corner; at the pond edge, cut the old stems in March.
Marsh horsetail: how to prune it?
- Mow or cut the stems just above the ground and remove the cuttings.
- In the wet corner, always leave an uncut strip as a refuge for small animals.
- Put the cuttings, without rhizomes, on the compost heap, never with hay or bedding for animals.
- At the pond edge: in March, cut the old brown stems before the new ones appear.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Marsh horsetail stays poisonous when dried in hay: never give cuttings containing it to horses, cattle or other plant-eating animals.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Marsh horsetail · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.