Vetiver Grass is a specialised solution for erosion control, soil stabilisation, storm water mitigation and pollution control. Unlike most grasses, Vetiver roots grow vertically in close-growing culms which stabilise the soil.

This also makes Vetiver an excellent vegetation hedge for river embankments, canals, terraces, and for steep cut and fill slopes.

Vetiver propagates itself by small off-sets instead of underground stolons and can be controlled by cultivation of the soil at the boundary of the hedge.

Characteristics:

• Climate: Temperature tolerance ranges from -15°C to hot summer months for rapid growth
• Rainfall: 300mm to high rainfall areas, will survive total drought, but normally requires a wet season of at least three months. Vetiver will survive completely submerged in water for up to three months
• Humidity: Can survive low humidity areas, but grows better under humid conditions
• Altitude: From sea level up to 3000 m
• Sunshine: Poor survival and growth under complete shade
• Soil: Grows in most soil types, but grows best in deep sandy soils. It is tolerant to high levels of mineral toxicity and has a wide pH range, both acid (pH3) and alkali (pH11)