What's So Special About Vetiver?

Ingredient Spotlight:

Vetiver Essential Oil

What’s the fancy Latin name?

Chrysopogon zizanioides (formerly Vetiveria zizanoides)

Where does vetiver come from?

Vetiver is grown in tropical regions like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, and Haiti, where the tall grass thrives in hot, rainy climates. The plant can reach six feet in height, and while its roots typically grow two to three feet deep, they can extend 10–13 feet under ideal conditions. These deep roots are what give vetiver its superpowers—both in the environment and in essential oil form.

What is vetiver used for?

Vetiver’s dense, fibrous roots are incredibly strong and vertical, making it a powerful plant for erosion control, especially in rainy or flood-prone regions. It’s been used to prevent landslides, stabilize slopes, and even rehabilitate degraded land. Vetiver is also being explored for use in wastewater treatment due to its ability to absorb toxins from soil and water.

Beyond environmental uses, vetiver is cultivated for its essential oil—an earthy, grounding base note that’s treasured in natural perfumery. It’s also used in traditional crafts, like woven mats, baskets, blinds, and fans. When sprinkled with water, these woven items release vetiver’s cooling, earthy aroma into the air.

What does vetiver essential oil smell like?

Vetiver essential oil is steam-distilled from the washed roots of the plant. The oil is dark brown, thick, and slow to pour, often requiring gentle warming before working with it. Vetiver essential oil smells rich, heavy, and sweet like damp earth, with dry, leathery undertones and a whisper of smoke. It has incredible staying power on the skin and in blends, thanks to its low volatility. Volatility refers to the speed with which an essential oil evaporates. Vetiver, like patchouli and frankincense, is slow to evaporate, while something like grapefruit or black pepper evaporates much more quickly. As such, vetiver is often used as a natural fixative in perfumery, helping lighter top notes—like citrus or florals—linger longer on the skin.

What are the aromatherapy benefits of vetiver?

Vetiver is sometimes called the Oil of Tranquility, and with good reason. When inhaled, it has a deeply calming effect on the nervous system. It helps with both mental and muscular tension, and can offer emotional support during or after a stressful period. It's especially grounding after trauma, overwhelm, or burnout, helping the spirit feel fortified and rooted again.

For people with mild to moderate anxiety, vetiver can be a helpful tool. Inhaling it can bring feeling of stability, clarity, and groundedness. It may also support the immune system and has a mild analgesic effect, making it useful in blends for joint or muscle discomfort.

What are the skin benefits of vetiver?

Vetiver is a great choice for oily or acne-prone skin, with antibacterial, antifungal, and mildly astringent properties that help tone the skin and minimize breakouts. It also has wound-healing potential, and is quite safe for use in properly diluted skincare products.

Importantly, vetiver is not phototoxic, so it’s safe to use on skin that will be exposed to sunlight.

We love it in our Water Body Oil, where it’s blended with juniper and galangal (ginger lily). The scent is deep and sultry, and lasts many sweet hours on the skin.

Does vetiver repel mosquitoes?

Yes! Vetiver has natural insect-repelling properties, and is used traditionally in many tropical cultures to keep mosquitoes and moths at bay. In some regions, the roots are burned like incense or placed in cupboards to deter insects.

What essential oils blend well with vetiver?

Vetiver has been worn as a natural perfume in India for thousands of years. In modern perfumery, it's used as a base note and fixative, anchoring the more fleeting top and middle notes in a scent blend.

It plays well with the following oils:

• Woods: sandalwood, cedarwood

• Earthy notes: patchouli, frankincense

• Florals: jasmine, rose, lavender (we use vetiver + lavender in our Prima Body Soap and our Colorado Candle, and love the combination!)

• Citrus: grapefruit, bergamot

Vetiver should be used sparingly in blends—it can easily take over a composition. It’s also quite beautiful as a single note, but should always be diluted before applying to the skin.

Fun Facts About Vetiver

• Vetiver is related to lemongrass and citronella, though its scent is much deeper and less sharp.

• The oil actually improves with age, becoming smoother and more complex over time.

• In hot climates, vetiver root is woven into mats or window shades—when dampened, they release the plant’s calming aroma and cool the surrounding air.

• Vetiver roots have been used to flavor and preserve vegetables (like asparagus!), and even to purify drinking water.

• The name vetiver comes from Tamil (vetti ver), meaning “dug-up root.” It’s also known as khus-khus (not to be confused with the grain couscous—no relation!) or vetivert.

Hope this little deep dive on vetiver was informative. It's one of my absolute favorite essential oils, and is my go-to oil for times when I'm feeling stressed or anxious. If you're interested in trying some vetiver in your life, here's one I recommend!

With love and a vat of vetiver,