Vetiver Grass/Khus Herbal Live Plant

Khus (Vetiver), scientifically known as Chrysopogon zizanioides (also called Vetiver grass), is a hardy, aromatic perennial grass valued for its deep roots, which are used in perfumes, cooling mats, and soil erosion control.

It’s easy to grow and maintain if you understand its needs.

🌞 Light Requirements

• Vetiver loves full sun — aim for 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• It can tolerate partial shade, but growth and root oil content will be lower.

🌡️ Temperature & Climate

• Thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates.
• Ideal temperature range: 25–40°C (77–104°F).
• Can survive light frost for short periods, but prolonged cold below 10°C (50°F) can slow growth.

🌱 Soil Requirements

• Grows in a wide range of soils — sandy, loamy, or clayey, but prefers well-draining loam.
• pH range: 6.5 to 8 (slightly acidic to alkaline).
• Avoid waterlogged soil — too much moisture can rot the roots.

💡 Tip: Vetiver is often planted on slopes or bunds for erosion control because its roots grow vertically up to 3 meters deep, binding the soil.

💧 Watering

• New plants: Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until roots are established — about 3–4 weeks.
• Established plants: Water deeply once or twice a week; the plant is drought-tolerant once mature.
• In pots, water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry.

🌿 Fertilization

• Vetiver doesn’t need heavy feeding, but a light fertilizer helps:
  • At planting: Mix compost or well-rotted cow dung into the soil.
  • Every 2–3 months: Apply organic manure or a balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10) for better growth.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen — it causes tall, weak growth.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Trim leaves regularly to 30–40 cm height to encourage dense root growth.
• Remove dry leaves and flower spikes if you’re growing for roots (as flowering diverts energy away from roots).
• Every 2–3 years, you can divide mature clumps and replant.

🌾 Propagation

• Usually propagated by slips or root divisions, not seeds.
  1. Separate a clump into smaller slips (each with 3–4 tillers and roots attached).
  2. Plant slips 10–15 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart.
  3. Water well until established.

🪴 Growing Vetiver in Pots

• Choose a deep pot (minimum 12–18 inches) since roots grow downward.
• Use a well-draining potting mix (soil + sand + compost).
• Keep in a sunny location.
• Trim regularly to maintain manageable size.