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How to Maintain Horse Tail Plants

Horsetails are often viewed as weeds, but they can be grown as ornamental plants in containers or gardens. A healthy crop of horsetails requires that the soil in which they are planted be kept moist at all times.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Fertilizer with micro-nutrients
  • Fluorescent lighting
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply small amounts of fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Too much fertilizer might cause nutrient imbalance or lead to toxicity. Horesetails require micro-nutrients for optimal growth; apply a weak fertilizer solution every two to four weeks. Water the plants after fertilizing.

    • 2

      Plant horsetails in an area receiving ample sunlight; the plants cannot grow in shade. Use fluorescent lighting with container-planted horsetails located indoors.

    • 3

      Maintain the pH of the soil from neutral to mildly acidic. These plants are not particular about the soil type in which they grow.

    • 4

      Horestails are relatively hardy plants and do not attract insects and fungi. Plants grown in high-humidity greenhouses are prone to infestation by scales, aphids and mealybugs. Use appropriate insecticides to deal with pests.