How long does vetiver khus take to mature and how are the roots harvested for oil?

Vetiver grown for khus oil is usually left in the ground for about 12 to 18 months so the roots develop enough mass and oil, though the exact best duration depends on your soil and the oil quality the buyer wants; longer growth often improves the oil but costs more time. At harvest the whole clumps are dug out, the roots are separated from the top growth, washed free of soil, partially dried, and then steam or water distilled, since the oil is in the roots. Root cleaning and digging are labour intensive, which is the main cost compared with leaf-distilled grasses. Soil type matters a lot for khus oil: vetiver grown in different soils gives different oil character and quality, and buyers may pay more for particular profiles, so ask your buyer what they want. Distillation of vetiver roots typically takes longer than leaf grasses because the oil is harder to extract, so it uses more fuel and time per batch. As a small grower, use a shared or hired distillation unit. Plan the timeline realistically: this is a long-duration crop, so make sure your oil buyer and the labour for root harvesting are arranged well before maturity, and get the quality spec and price agreed in writing.