Vetiver grass
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9Will it grow where I live?
Vetiver grass is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.
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Profile
- Family
- Gramineae
- Habit
- perennial
- Height
- 1.8 m
- Spread
- 1.5 m
- Growth
- fast
- Lifespan
- 15 years
- First yield
- after 4 years
- Hardiness
- zone 9–12
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam
- Soil moisture
- very dry – near water
- pH
- 4 – 9
- Synonyms
- Vetiver
Uses
Other uses: The fragrant roots are utilized in potpourri and perfumes. The essential oil extracted from these roots is employed in the production of perfumes. Due to its extensive and deeply rooted system, the plant is highly beneficial for preventing soil erosion in cultivated areas. It is commonly planted along contour lines to serve this function.
Growing
This species is sensitive to severe frosts. In regions with frequent frost, it is recommended to separate the plant in the fall, potting the divisions and keeping them in a greenhouse during winter before replanting them outdoors in late spring. Vetiveria grass is a rapidly growing grass that is not invasive, with deep roots, resistant to insects and pests. It can withstand drought and flooding, and has been observed to endure occasional temperatures as low as -9°C. Commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, its extensive root system is beneficial for preventing erosion. 240
Notable
Besonderheiten: In Tropen bis 2.500m Höhe; verträgt Jahresniederschläge von 200-5.000mm; Blattschäden ab 0°C, stirbt bei unter -5°C; Akkumuliert Schwermetalle & Giftstoffe aus dem Boden, die aus der Grünmasse zurückgewonnen werden können, in diesem Falle nicht als Mulch verwenden; alle 3 Monate schneiden für bestes Tierfutter; wurzelt 2-4m tief; Kultivare blühen nicht/unfruchtbar;
Origin & habitat
Open arid areas at altitudes of up to 1000 meters in Nepal.
Wooded boundaries and undergrowth.
Frequently asked questions
Vetiver grass: how big does it get?
Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) grows as a perennial and reaches roughly 1.8 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is fast.
Vetiver grass: what site does it need?
Vetiver grass tolerates partial shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range very dry – near water. The pH may lie between 4 and 9.
Vetiver grass: is it hardy?
Vetiver grass is listed as hardy in zone 9–12 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Vetiver grass: will it grow in Central Europe?
Vetiver grass is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.
Vetiver grass: is it poisonous?
Individual parts of Vetiver grass are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.
Vetiver grass: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 9/10.
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