Vetiver Grass

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Height: up to 4 feet
Spread: 2-4 feet, clumping habit
Sun: full sun to part shade
Water: water in first 3 months to establish. Tolerates waterlogged soil and drought.
Landscape uses: Erosion control, phytoremediation, bioremediation, and perfumery. Vetiver has a deep, strong and compact root system with stiff stems. It’s roots grow 7-13 feet deep which is greater than many tree roots. The stiff stems trap soil and sediment on the surface and prevent it from running downslope. This allows for greater water infiltration in the soil behind it. Vetiver only needs to be at a width of 1 feet to serve as an effective vegetative barrier which can be achieved within 1 growing season. For these reasons, it is widely used where erosion is a main concern. Vetiver also has the ability to increase the degradation of heavy metals in soil. Vetivergrass root is widely used in the perfume industry and is contained in 90% of western perfumes.
Works great along stream banks, slopes, or areas of erosion and poor soil.
Plant type, family and origin: Grass in the Poaceae family native to India.