How To Kill Horsetail Weed: Full Guide

When protecting your land, few things are as frustrating as a persistent horsetail infestation. This invasive weed can take over fields, gardens, and driveways, proving resistant to most control methods. If you’re dealing with this issue, you might be wondering how to kill horsetail weed for good.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through effective, proven ways to eliminate horsetail, helping you reclaim your soil, protect your crops, and keep your land looking its best.

Before we get into how to kill horsetail weed, let’s have a quick reminder on what it actually is. Horsetail, also known as mare’s tail and nicknamed the bottle brush plant (Equisetum arvense), is extremely hard to control due to its deep-rooted nature and thick silica structure. Here at ProGreen, we are often asked how to kill horsetail.

There are a number of ways to get rid of mare’s tail, with varying degrees of success. With an extensive root system, herbicides often provide the best levels of control. Figuring out how to kill horsetail weed is important to maintaining a healthy landscape.

For several years, Kurtail Gold was the gold standard in the mare’s tail control sector. However, this product was withdrawn in January 2019, leaving a gaping hole in the market. ProGreen exclusively provides next generation of herbicide for mare's tail control, Kurtail Evo, or the selective version, Kurtail Lawn.

For even more effective horsetail control, our Kurtail products are available in a bundle with KPlus intensifier, proven to improve uptake on the stubborn weed. Explore Kurtail Evo with KPlus and Kurtail Lawn with KPlus today.

Gardeners need to be careful with a weed like horsetail, as not only does it spread via spores, but it only takes a finger-sized piece of root to regrow. Killing mare’s tail is not a quick fix, and regular re-applications of herbicides and repeated ongoing cultural control may be needed.

Getting rid of horsetail takes more than a single spray. It’s a process that requires timing, the right products, and a bit of patience. Follow the steps below to tackle horsetail effectively and prevent it from returning.

If you’re looking into how to kill horsetail weed and want to get started, then this step-by-step guide is a great place to start.

1. Remove dead mare’s tail stems and stalks, ideally in the winter months or early spring.

2. Do not spray too early. Wait until the horsetail is approximately 15-20cm high (approximately 4-6 inches) and looks like a small bottle brush.

3. Spray the weed using a herbicide such as Kurtail Evo. Spray until the plant is fully covered with a fine or medium spray.

NB: Don't worry if the mare's tail is taller than 15-20cm high. It can still be treated using a herbicide, but the level of control may not be as effective.

Please note: Kurtail Evo is a total weed killer, meaning it will control mare's tail, as well as a wide range of other broad-leaved weeds and grasses. If you need to tackle mare's tail in or near grass, opt for Kurtail Lawn, the selective weed control version of Kurtail Evo.

4. Horsetail usually takes 1-2 weeks to turn brown and takes longer to disappear completely. The longer you can wait, the better the results.

ProGreen Tip: You can check if the plant is dead by breaking off a small piece of the stem near the ground. If it is still green in the centre, the plant has not yet fully died back.

5. When the mare's tail is black and dead, it can be raked and cleared away, burned or put in a garden recycling bin. It is recommended that horsetail is not composted due to its ability to regrow from tiny root particles.

6. Often, annual repeat applications are needed. In some instances, horsetail will not totally disappear, but this method will certainly reduce your levels of infestation and is considered the best method for killing mare's tail.