The Vetiveria zizanoides plant belongs to the Gramineae family, like lemongrass, and is a tall grass with a complex root system. It is these long, thin roots that are harvested, chopped and dried before being steam distilled to obtain a fragrant oil. Older roots are often valued for their rich aroma, although they can be more difficult to distil, making the ingredient challenging to source.

Vetivert oil is widely appreciated in perfumery for its deep, earthy scent and is traditionally associated with a comforting and grounding character. In bath and body products, it is often used for its warm, enveloping aroma. It is also used as a fixative in perfume blends, meaning it helps carry and extend other fragrances within the composition.

As the scent of the oil depends on many factors, such as the area where the plant has grown and the age of the root when harvested, it can be a complex ingredient to source consistently. Lush therefore works with several suppliers to help maintain continuity between batches. Most of the vetivert oil found in our products is sourced from Indonesia, where it has a deep, smoky, almost ashy scent, while in perfumes we use an essential oil produced in Madagascar, which some describe as having more citrus-like notes.