Growing Horsetail Weed in a Planter

Select a plastic or glazed ceramic planter for growing horsetail; either will effectively hold in moisture. Choose a planter measuring 1 inch larger in diameter than the horsetail's original pot.

Combine three parts loam, one part medium-grit sand, one part horticultural clay and one part peat moss to create a medium suited to growing horsetail. Fill the bottom inch of the planter with the mixture.

Take the horsetail from its original pot. Remove half the soil from around the roots. Set the root ball in the new planter. Pack the growing medium around the root ball and fill the rest of the planter.

Water the horsetail thoroughly. Run water into the planter until it flows freely from the drainage holes at the base. Maintain constant, moderate moisture in the growing medium at all times to keep the horsetail hydrated and healthy.

Position the horsetail in a partially sunny spot with dappled shade during the hottest part of the day. Avoid placing it under very heavy shade, since the stalks will lose their characteristic bright green and black coloring if deprived of light.

Divide the horsetail plant as soon as it outgrows the planter. Put on heavy gloves to protect your skin from the abrasive texture of the stalks. Remove the horsetail from its planter. Saw straight down through the root ball with a gardening knife to cut the plant into four equal portions.

Plant and care for each individual horsetail division as described in Steps 1 to 5. Wait at least three years before attempting to divide the horsetail plants again.