Vetiver FAQs

What is vetivers botanical name?

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Will it turn into a weed?

No. Vetiver is a sterile clone. It will not seed, sucker or flower at all. It does not send out rhizomes or stolons.

Will vetiver grow in the shade?

Vetiver likes sunny locations, more than 4 hours of direct sun per day. It will not grow in full shade.

Where does vetiver come from?

Vetiver grass is a native of India.

Can it withstand frost?

Yes. There may be some die-back but it will grow back vigorously in the spring.

Is vetiver harmful to stock?

No. It is often used as stock feed. As stock prefer the young shoots it is advisable to fence it off when it is young. It is most palatable to cattle (our own sheep only seem interested in the young shoots).

How big does it grow?

Plant and roots grow between 600mm and 900mm wide. Tops grow to about 1.2 meters. Roots grow 4 to 6 meters downwards.

Aren’t there other species that can do the same job?

So far no other plant with all of vetivers major qualities has been found. However there are some species that each have a subset of vetiver’s qualities.

Does vetiver require watering?

No. If the correct planting instructions are followed it does not usually require further watering.

Does vetiver require maintenance?

Annually add some blood and bone and trim it back to knee height in spring. Vetiver responds well to organic foliar fertilizers.

Is it genetically modified?

No. Not at all.

Can I remove it if required?

Like other grasses systemic herbicides will kill it. If spraying herbicides around vetiver care is required as vetiver is easily affected.

Do we use chemical sprays or fertilizers in the vetiver nursery?

No. None.