Vetiver is a grass from the Poaceae family of plants, scientifically called Chrysopogon zizanioides. In India, it?s called ?khus,? where it grows naturally, but today it?s also widely produced in Haiti, Java, Japan, the Philippines, and R?union. A fast-growing perennial, it can survive up to 50 years or more, as all those green leaves are supported by a vast network of underground, interlinked roots that grow vertically, not horizontally, about 12 feet into the soil. These roots are what we use to get vetiver essential oil.
