How to Use a Vetiver Plant

The vetiver plant has long been used in perfumes, but it can also be used to help stop soil erosion. Vetiver is a type of grass that has thick roots that grow deep into the ground. The roots help prevent water from passing through as well as keeping moles and other pests from getting through. Putting a border of veviter around your garden or property will help to keep your plants healthy as well as retain the nutrients in your soil.

Things You'll Need

• Vetiver plants
• Gardening shovel
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure the area where you want the vetiver plant to grow. Each plant needs to be placed six inches apart.

• 2

  Dig holes 6 inches apart. The plants typically come pre-grown with a 5-inch chunk of soil held together by the roots. Use the chunks of soil as a reference for how deep you should dig the holes. For example, if the chunk of soil is 5 inches tall, dig the hole 5 inches deep so that the soil is level with the ground.

• 3

  Place the plants in the ground and fill in any empty spaces with soil. Pack the soil down so that the plants cannot easily be removed.

• 4

  Water the plants once a day or as often as you water other types of grass on your property. Eventually the roots will grow over ten feet into the ground.

• 5

  Trim the plants as often as you feel necessary with a lawn mower or hedge clippers. Because vetiver can grow up to 6 feet tall, it can also be used as a privacy border.