Vetiver Grass Application Guide

Purpose of this guide

Vetiver grass is a unique tropical grass used in nearly 100 countries for soil and water conservation, environmental protection (through bioengineering and phytoremediation), and disaster mitigation.  The plant can be grown over a very wide range of climatic and soil conditions, and if planted correctly can be used virtually anywhere under tropical, semi-tropical, and Mediterranean climates.  When used correctly, under the guidelines of The Vetiver System (VS), it becomes a very practical, inexpensive, low maintenance, and very effective means of soil erosion and sediment controls, water conservation, and land stabilization and rehabilitation.

The species of Vetiveria zizanioides, that is promoted  for VS applications originates in south India, is sterile, non invasive and has to be propagated by clump subdivision.  In 1999, however, there was a change of the generic name of vetiver into Chrysopogon. This has given rise to a new scientific name of vetiver as Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty.


In spite of the above change, vetiverites all over the world still refer to Vetiver as Vetiveria, not Chrysopogon to avoid confusion. After all, it is the old name used for almost a century, and the name Vetiveria originated in India from a vernacular name in Tamil, “vetiver”, meaning the grass that is dug out.  For the purpose of this guide, we will use the common name of this grass - “Vetiver”, which has been used all over the world for a long time.

This guide can not attempt to cover in depth all the many uses of this grass or all the details of of using Vetiver Grass in an industrial scale.  Still, even in small scale, diligent use of a few plants around a property can provide a simple and inexpensive solution to land stabilization and soil erosion problems.  For large projects or severe conditions, the reader should study the additional information sources listed below or consult with a soil conservation professional.  In most cases, failure in the use of Vetiver grass is due to improper understanding or incorrect applications rather than to the Vetiver System itself.

Soil Stabilization - a general guide

Vetiver grass does not have stolons or rhizomes.  Its massive, finely structured root system can grow very fast - in some applications, rooting depth can reach 10-12 ft (3-4 m) in the first year. This deep root system makes the Vetiver plant extremely drought tolerant and difficult to dislodge by strong current.  It also has stiff and erect stems, which can stand up to relatively deep water flow.  New shoots will develop from the underground crown, making Vetiver resistant to fire, frosts, traffic and heavy grazing pressure.  Vetiver Grass is not affected to any significant extent by pests and diseases, nor does it act as a host for pests or diseases that might attack crop or garden plants.

The basic technique of soil stabilization using Vetiver consists of one or more hedgerows planted on the contour. Nursery clumps are divided into planting slips of about 3 tillers each, and typically planted 6 inches (15 cm) apart on the contour to create, when mature, a barrier of stiff grass that acts as a buffer and spreader of down slope water flow, and a filter to sediment. Multiple hedgerows may be required to stabilize a slope.  The development of strong plants and a deep root system requires full sun.  Partial shading stunts its growth, and significant shading can eliminate it in the long term by reducing its ability to compete with more shade-tolerant species.

When multiple hedgerows are required, each row must be planted with the same separation of 6 inches between plants.  The separation between rows will depend on the slope, soil condition and composition, and the severity of the problem.  As a rule of thumb, typical distances in domestic environment should range between three and six feet.  Some published guidelines recommend a distance between rows of about 5.7 ft. (1.7 m) for a 30° slope, and about 3 ft. (1 m) for a 45° slope.

A good hedge will reduce rainfall run off by as much as 70% and sediment by as much as 90%.  A hedgerow will stay where it is planted and the sediment that is spread out behind the hedgerow gradually accumulates to form a long lasting terrace with Vetiver protection. It is a very low cost, labor intensive technology with very high benefit/cost ratio. When used for civil works protection, its cost is about 1/20 of traditional engineered systems and designs. Engineers compare the Vetiver root to a "Living Soil Nail" with an average tensile strength of 1/6 of mild steel.  Vetiver hedges are fully effective only when plants form closed hedgerows.  Gaps between clumps should be timely re-planted.

A very important characteristic of the "domesticated" Vetiver varieties from southern India used in The Vetiver System is that it does not normally produce seed and stays where it was planted.  In some countries Vetiver has even been used to define property lines and hedgerows will not invade other areas of the property.  Vetiver hedges are a natural, soft bioengineering technique - an eco-friendly alternative to rigid or hard structures.  Being vegetative, it is also visually acceptable in any neighborhood.

Additional Resources

Vetiver Grass source:  Agriflora Tropicals - eBay Store

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