What are the differences and similarities between horsetail and bamboo if you are interested in evergreen, water-loving plants? There may be some structural overlap among these popular ornamental plants, but they come from different plant orders and have different growing habits and characteristics.
You’ll learn about the characteristics, native ranges, ideal growing conditions, and uses of horsetail vs. bamboo in this guide. I’m excited to get started, so let’s get started!
Plant classification
While horsetail and bamboo both grow in water, they belong to different divisions of the plant kingdom, and share some similar structural characteristics.
A genus of evergreen, non-flowering perennial plants (gymnosperms), horsetail (Equisetum spp.) covered the planet 250 million years ago. It was about 125 million years ago that flowering plants, or angiosperms, appeared. Since the Paleozoic era, when horsetail species were at their height, the number of horsetail species has decreased due to the rise and spread of flowering plants across the globe. Only 100 species are known today from this genus.
There are a number of different species of bamboo (Bambusoideae) in the grass family (Paceae), a large and highly diverse subfamily. Over 1,060 bamboo species exist in three main types. Herbaceous bamboos (Olyreae), tropical woody bamboos (Bambuseae), and temperate woody bamboos (Arundinarieae) are the three main types of bamboo.
Horsetail vs. Bamboo: Plant Characteristics
It is still possible to distinguish horsetail and bamboo despite their similarities in structural characteristics. Their hollow stems and jointed leaves are their main similarities. It is called the culm on bamboo. There are joints along the stems of these plants that separate hollow sections of the stem. The young shoots of both plants produce somewhat similar-appearing shoots because they’re rhizomatic plants, that is, they form colonies and spread by shooting from underground horizontal stem structures.
There is a wide range of heights and diameters that these plants can reach, but they have distinct characteristics in general.
Horsetail has some key characteristics that are shared among all species in the horsetail genus, despite the physical differences between species. The stems of horsetails are hollow, upright, and joined with minuscule, flattened leaves. In addition to the hollow stem, thin branches, which resemble needles, extend outward. A few species have branches that are more curled while others have branches that look more like feathers. Horsetails can grow between 8 inches and 15 feet tall when mature, depending on the species.
A large number of bamboo species make up the Bambusoideae family. A flowering, evergreen grass reaching over 100 feet tall and 15 inches wide, these plants have flowering culms. There are also smaller species reaching only a height of three feet and a diameter of a few inches on the other end.
Phyllostachys edulis, one of the most popular species of timber bamboo, produces culms that are straight and strong, with little branching. Arundinaria appalachiana, a native bamboo of the Appalachian Mountains, has long, slender culms and plenty of evergreen leaves. Bamboo culms come in a wide variety of colors, including yellow, black, gray, grey-blue, red, and green. There are also striped and spotted culms.
Horsetail vs. Bamboo: Native Ranges and Ideal Growing Conditions
Bamboo and horsetail are both native to a wide range of geographical areas. Several species of horsetail can be found in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, while many species of bamboo are native to those regions.
Despite both plants’ love for water and the desire to grow in moist soil, certain species of horsetail can grow in standing water, whereas bamboo suffers from root rot if the soil becomes too wet.
Generally, horsetail plants like an acidic soil with a high moisture content. They can grow in full to partial sun. Bogs and wetlands are common places where you can find them.
Standing water isn’t a good place for bamboo to grow, although it’s often found near the water. Loamy, slightly acidic soil with a high moisture content is the perfect soil type for them. Sunlight and partial shade are both suitable conditions for bamboo growth, depending on the species.
High winds can severely damage these plants’ leaves since they are not particularly drought tolerant. Species vary widely in their ability to withstand frost. Plants will produce more shoots in the Spring if the rhizome is not damaged or destroyed by damage to the culm. Additionally, bamboo culms grow to their maximum height within a three to four-month period. The list includes bamboo varieties capable of reaching over 100 feet in height! There are species of bamboo that can grow more than a foot a day!
Horsetail vs. Bamboo: Uses
Since thousands of years ago, humans have used horsetail and bamboo for various purposes.
Horsetail has historically been used to treat inflammation and diuresis. Some horsetail species may contain active chemicals that reduce inflammation and increase urine production. According to folklore medicine, horsetail contains high amounts of silica, which is beneficial for strengthening the skin, nails, and hair. Horsetail silica’s bioavailability has been studied in various ways, and medical researchers have not reached a consensus on its health benefits for humans.
Bamboo has been used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. Young shoots can be cooked and eaten. Many East and Southeast Asian dishes still use young bamboo shoots as an ingredient. In ancient times, bamboo was used for construction as a large, durable timber and it continues to be used for that purpose today. There has been an increase in the popularity of bamboo flooring and furniture throughout the world. There is also the possibility of turning bamboo into clothing materials. Flute-making instruments are also made from its hollow culms. In addition to jewelry and cookware, it can be turned into weapons such as hunting bows and cookware.
