Veltiver is a warm season bunch grass in the Poaceae family native to India. This grass will grow 4 to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It will grow in acidic to alkaline clay or sandy loams with good drainage in full sun to partial shade. It is salt and drought-tolerant. The sterile cultivar V. 'Sunshine' is what is sold in the States. Propagation is by division. It is used worldwide for soil and water conservation and many other environmental protection applications. This is due to its strong and deep root system, a high tolerance to most heavy metals and the ability to remove from soil and water large quantities of excess nitrates, phosphates and farm chemicals. It is also used as a food and medicinally. Veltiver is a large grass that could be used in the landscape in a drought-tolerant garden or in problem areas to prevent erosion. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheLantana camaraMiscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'Sedum 'Touchdown Teak'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Long narrow stiff green leaves up to 10 feet long.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
6 inch long panicles of brownish-purple flowers
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit detail
Produces a small, dry, one-seeded grain
Stem detail
Stiff erect stems can grow up to 8 feet tall
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India
Wildlife value
Creats critical protective cover for small fauna, attracts beneficial insects (such as parasitic wasps), and repels pests.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Edibility
It is used as a flavoring agent, usually as khus syrup
Uses (ethnobotany)
It has been used to produce perfumes, creams and soaps. It is used for its antiseptic properties to treat acne and sores.It is It is also used in aromatherapy