Vetiver can grow up to 150cm (5 ft) high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid. The flowers are brownish-purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading, mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2m (7 ft) to 4m(13 ft) in depth.
The vetiver bunch grass has a gregarious habit and grows in tufts. Shoots growing from the underground crown make the plant frost and wildfire resistant, and allow it to survive heavy grazing pressure. The leaves can become up to 150 cm (5 ft) long and 8mm (0.3 in) wide.The panicles are 15cm (6 in) to 30cm (12 in) long and have whorled, 25mm (1 in) to 50 mm (2 in) long branches.The spikeletsp to 150 cm (5 ft) long and 8 mm (0.3 in) wide.The panicles are 15cm (6 in) to 30cm (12 in) long and have whorled, 25mm (1 in) to 50mm (2 in) long branches.The spikelets are in pairs, and there are three stamens.
The plant stems are erect and stiff. They can persist deep water flow. Under clear water, the plant can survive up to two months.
The root system of vetiver is finely structured and very strong. It can grow 3m (10 ft) to 4m (13 ft) deep within the first year. Vetiver has no stolons norrhizomes. Because of all these characteristics, the vetiver plant is highly drought-tolerant and can help to protect soil against sheet erosion. In case of sediment deposition, new roots can grow out of buried nodes.