Vetiver is a tall, long-lived, perennial grass with an abundant and complex root system. The roots grow straight downwards and can reach a depth of up to 7 meters, firmly anchoring the plant; along with the dense stems, they provide an excellent barrier against erosion. Vetiver stems and roots are also aromatic and act to repel pests. Thanks to these characteristics, vetiver is an excellent plant for land 
protection and reclamation projects. The extensive root system also allows vetiver to reach deeper water reserves, protecting it against drought. Since it doesn't set seed, vetiver is a non-invasive plant; stands of vetiver introduced into new environments have been known to perists for over 100 years without spreading. If you're interested in using vetiver for water reclamation, land protection or other phytoremediation projects, get in touch with us.
Vetiver's extensive and well-developed root system provides a great deal of surface area for uptake; combined with its tolerance for high levels of heavy metals or salinity, this makes vetiver an excellent candidate for phytoremediation. The dense stem system also reduces water flow; an established vetiver hedge will hold back up to half a meter of water, allowing the plant to act as an an effective filter and further increasing its potential in phytoremediation. Vetiver is also an extremely tough plant capable of enduring several months of drought or submersion, as well as exposure to a wide range of temperatures and pH. Please contact us for more information.