What is Vetiver?
The perennial grass vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides), often known as khus, belongs to the Poaceae family and produces an oil that is used in perfumes. The vetiver plant is indigenous to tropical Asia but has been brought into the tropics of both hemispheres. In some places, it has escaped cultivation and turned into a weed.
The plant is helpful in dryland restoration to stop soil erosion and is occasionally cultivated as a hedge. Garlands made of vetiver grass are used to adorn the idols of Lord Nataraja (Shiva) in Hindu temples. It is a favourite offering to Ganesha.
Let’s learn about this plant, how to grow, maintain and use it and all the benefits it brings.
known about: How to grow and care for a coffee plant?
Vetiver: Quick facts
Botanical name: Chrysopogon zizanioides
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Chrysopogon
Varieties available: 12 known species
Also known as: Vetiver, khus
Height: 150 centimetres (5 ft)
Climate: Tropical and subtropical climate
Sun exposure: Grown in full sun
Ideal temperature: The soil temperature optimum for the growth of vetiver is 25°C
Soil type: Light loam or medium loam loss water
Soil Ph: Highly alkaline soils up to pH 10
Maintenance: Low
Vetiver: Physical description
A vetiver is a tall, tufted bunchgrass that can grow as high as 1.5 metres (5 feet). Small, brown-purple flowers are carried on long spikes by the plant, which has hard, tall stems and thin leaves. The fragrant roots can delve more than three metres into the dirt as they grow downward (10 feet).
The plant can withstand strong grazing pressure and wildfires thanks to shoots emerging from the subterranean crown. The leaves can grow to be as long as 300 centimetres (10 feet) and as wide as 8 mm (3/8 in). The panicles have whorled, 25–50 mm (1-2 in) long branches and are 15–30 cm (6–12 in) long. There are three stamens and pairs of spikelets.
Vetiver: How to grow?
- Throughout its growth phase, the plant develops clumps and has a bushy appearance.
- When the clump is broken, several little units called slips result.
- These slips are the units used for propagation, and after being planted, they grow into separate plants. The fibrous roots and leaves on the slips should be cut off before planting.
- When the rainy season begins in June and July, the crop is planted 45 x 30 cm apart, 10 cm vertically deep.
- Crops planted late produce coarse roots that produce lower-grade oil.
Vetiver: Maintenance
Irrigation
- Supplemental irrigation is not required if rainfall is abundant and evenly distributed throughout the year and humidity levels are high.
- Once the plants have established and are growing from bushes, weed problems are not severe due to the very nature of the bushes, which means that in the colder months, 8–10 irrigations will be necessary to produce the best output. But until the bushes form, there must be three to four weeding in newly established plantations.
Sunlight
The temperature cap to the plant’s growth is 5 degrees Celsius. So, the best is to grow in mild months. Sunlight is very essential to their growth, so plant them in full sun.
Fertiliser
Nitrogen is the only thing they need. Use dry or water-mixed cow manure.
Mulching
Although vetiver grows its own mulches, you may use green mulches to consolidate the growth.
Pruning
No pruning in the first 10 months or till 1-metre height is achieved. After that, prune it regularly to maintain growth and also cause tillering (growth of side shoots).
Harvesting and yield
- The timing of the harvest is crucial since changes in the environmental conditions have an impact on the yield of roots and oil percentage. For the highest oil yield, the plants planted in July should be harvested after 18 months.
- By manually pulling out the shrub and its roots during the dry season, which lasts from December to February, harvesting is typically done. Before distillation, the roots are separated from the leaves, washed, and dried in the shade.
- It is regarded as satisfactory to collect 1% or less of the essential oil. Between 3,000 and 4,000 kg of roots may be produced per hectare.
Vetiver grass slips for soil erosion
Simriddhi Vetiver grass and Vetiver organic grass slips are some of the many varieties of Vetiver grass slips which acts as soil binder. These plants are used to stop soil erosion and protect soil and plants. They are in fact termed as low cost and efficient way for both soil erosion and water conservation.
What are the benefits of Vetiver?
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- Vetiver oil: The underground portion of the plant is made up of countless fine rootlets that range in colour from light yellow or grey to reddish, and when distilled, these rootlets produce the commercially valuable oil known as vetiver.
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- Cosmetics: The essential oil is frequently used to scent soaps, cosmetics, and fragrances.
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- Baskets and hand fans: The roots of vetiver have been used to create baskets, hand fans, and mats since the beginning of time. When hung and sprinkled with water, these items cool the air and release a pleasant odour.
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- Medicine: In medicine, the essential oil extracted from the roots is employed as a sudorific, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, refrigerant, stomachic and tonic. Fresh rhizomes are used to make a stimulating beverage. An anthelmintic can be made from it.
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- Food and flavouring: In the form of khus syrup, vetiver (also known as khus) is also employed as a flavouring component. Khus essence is added to sugar, water, and citric acid syrup to create khus syrup. Khus essence is a syrup derived from roots that are dark green and thick. Although it smells like khus, it has a taste that is similar to wood. In addition to adding flavour to milkshakes and yoghurt drinks like lassi, the syrup can be used for ice cream, mixed drinks like Shirley Temples, and dessert toppings. Khus syrup doesn’t require refrigeration; however, khus-flavoured items might.
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- Crop protection and pest repellent: Crop protection can be accomplished with vetiver. It draws the Chilo partellus, or stem borer, which prefers to deposit its eggs on vetiver but whose larvae cannot survive there because the plant’s hairiness prevents them from migrating onto the leaves, so they instead fall to the ground and perish.
Rhizoctonia Solani can be prevented from growing by using vetiver essential oil. In coffee, cocoa, and tea plantations, vetiver is utilised as a mulch to control weeds. It creates a thick mat-like barrier as a defence. Mulch decomposition increases soil organic matter and makes more crop nutrients available.
FAQs
Where does vetiver grass originate from?
It is a southern India native plant.
Is vetiver invasive?
No. In no way does vetiver blossom, seed, or sucker. It does not produce stolons or rhizomes.
Once the vetiver is planted, does it need to be hydrated?
Until it becomes established, usually two to three weeks, the vetiver has to be watered. Before planting, vetiver can be dipped into a pail of water until it is completely saturated if water is in short supply. Because vetiver is drought tolerant, this will minimise the need for additional watering.
Can vetiver grow in the shade?
Vetiver prefers sunny areas with at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. It won't grow in complete shade.
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