Palmarosa Farming in India 2026
Drought-tolerant aromatic grass yielding geraniol-rich, rose-scented oil for perfumery.
Overview
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var. motia), also called rosha grass or Indian geranium, is a perennial aromatic grass grown for an essential oil rich in geraniol and geranyl acetate with a soft rose-like aroma. The oil is widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, soaps and the flavour industry, and geraniol is also a starting material for other aroma chemicals. Palmarosa is drought-tolerant and suits marginal and dryland soils, so CSIR-CIMAP has promoted it in regions like Bundelkhand alongside lemongrass and vetiver under the Aroma Mission. It is a multi-cut, multi-year crop: one planting yields for several years, with oil output low in the first year, peaking around the second or third year, then declining. The herb is steam-distilled, usually on-farm. Returns depend on oil price, geraniol content and the buyer, so figures should be treated as indicative ranges. Securing distillation access and a buyer makes it a dependable low-input aromatic crop for drier zones.
Climate
Suits warm tropical and subtropical climates with temperatures of about 20-35 degrees C and good sunshine. It is drought-tolerant and grows well under moderate rainfall or limited irrigation, making it suitable for semi-arid and dryland regions. It dislikes severe frost and prolonged waterlogging.
Soil
Adapts to a wide range of soils including poor, gravelly and marginal lands, which is a key advantage. It prefers well-drained loam to sandy loam with pH around 6.0-8.0. Good drainage is important; heavy waterlogged soils lower oil yield and harm the clumps.
Planting & Spacing
Raised from seed in a nursery and transplanted, or established from slips, at about 60 x 45 cm or 60 x 30 cm spacing at the onset of the monsoon or under irrigation. A single planting stays productive for about 4-5 years. Light irrigation after transplanting and at flowering for oil cuts improves herbage and oil yield.
Varieties
CSIR-CIMAP has released improved high-oil, high-geraniol cultivars, notably CIMAP-Harsh (also written CIM-Harsh), reported to give high fresh-herb and essential-oil yield; other named selections such as PRC-1, Trishna, Tripta and Vaishnavi have been released by various institutes. Using an improved variety raises both oil recovery and geraniol percentage, which buyers value.
Care & Management
Low maintenance once established. Needs first-year weeding, a maintenance dose of nitrogen after each cutting, and irrigation only during long dry spells. Harvest at the right flowering stage for peak geraniol and distil promptly. Earthing up the clumps and gap-filling dead plants maintains stand and yield over the years.
Pests & Diseases
Palmarosa is relatively hardy and pest-tolerant. Occasional problems include leaf blight or rust in very humid weather and minor leaf-feeding pests. Good drainage, balanced nutrition and removing diseased foliage keep issues minor, and as an oil crop it rarely needs heavy spraying.
Yield & Harvest
First cutting comes about 4-5 months after planting, at flowering, with roughly 3-4 cuttings a year thereafter. Herbage of about 20-30 tonnes per hectare per year is typical. Oil yield rises over the first years, commonly cited around 20 kg per hectare in year one and rising to about 60-80 kg per hectare by year two or three under good management, before declining; yields vary with variety and conditions.
Cost & Profit
Palmarosa is a low-input crop suited to marginal land, with most cost in the first year and in distillation. Studies note that labour, distillation and field preparation form the bulk of operating cost, and that improved cultivars can be grown profitably, but returns hinge on oil price and geraniol content. Treat all income figures as indicative ranges and arrange distillation and a buyer before scaling up.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Palmarosa oil is bought by perfumery, cosmetic and soap companies, the flavour and fragrance industry, aroma-chemical makers using geraniol, and essential-oil traders and exporters. India is a significant producer and exporter. Selling graded distilled oil rather than raw grass adds value, and a buyer or exporter tie-up gives more stable returns.
Subsidy & Support
Palmarosa is among the crops promoted under the CSIR Aroma Mission, with CSIR-CIMAP supplying improved varieties, planting material, training and distillation support, especially in dryland regions like Bundelkhand. State horticulture and medicinal-plant schemes may offer added help. Confirm current Aroma Mission and state subsidy details with CSIR-CIMAP or your district agriculture office.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
What does palmarosa oil smell like and where is it used?
Is palmarosa suitable for dryland farming?
How long does a palmarosa planting yield?
Which palmarosa variety gives the best yield?
When should palmarosa be harvested for the most oil?
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