Find Your Scent: What Does Vetiver Smell Like?

While it may read like a bit of a tongue twister, vetiver is one of the most popular scents in the fragrance world. It's a unique scent that’s smooth and irresistible… but if you landed on this article, you may be wondering what vetiver actually is, and what it smells like. 

Today, we're unraveling the smell of vetiver, including where it comes from and how perfumers get their hands on the scent. Plus, we’ll walk through what you can layer with vetiver and share a few of our favorite vetiver fragrances so you can start showing off this sophisticated scent. 

what is vetiver? 

The scent of vetiver comes from a perennial grass — known as vetiver grass (or scientifically referred to as “Chrysopogon zizanioides”). Also called “khus”, this plant originated in India and can be found in warmer climates all over Asia, Africa, and in other tropical environments, like Haiti. 

Vetiver essential oil is a super common choice in aromatherapy. Vetiver oil is often cherished for its therapeutic qualities, from stress relief to enhanced focus and sleep support. In one study, researchers found that participants breathing in vetiver oil showed improved alertness and brain function — in other words, vetiver can have some amazing perks for your productivity. 

Another study done on the benefits of vetiver oil even found that participants who used the oil in a diffuser while sleeping had improved breathing patterns, meaning the scent might also aid with sleep quality overall. 

what does vetiver smell like? 

​​Even though the scent of vetiver comes from roots, we promise it definitely doesn't just smell like dirt. Vetiver has an earthy, woody undertone, but it's more complex thanks to hints of leather and smoke. It's a popular ingredient in masculine fragrances in colognes, candles, and products marketed to men… but in reality, anyone can rock this scent, and there are plenty of unisex fragrances using vetiver. 

The fragrance that vetiver gets compared to the most is one that both men and women love: the satisfying smell of fresh cut grass. This warm, rich, familiar, herbal scent is both comforting and gratifying.

The exact smell of vetiver depends on the region where it was grown. Vetiver from Indonesia, for example, can have subtle citrusy and floral notes similar to lemongrass, giving it a bright quality. On the other hand, Haitian vetiver, also known as Bourbon vetiver, often features a deeper, leathery, smokier aroma similar to bonfires or tobacco.

That said, let's take a closer look at some of the different scent profiles in vetiver. 

earthy

The earthy scent of vetiver comes from just that — the earth. The oil from the vetiver plant’s roots gives this scent a super natural, (literally) grounded finish.

smoky

The smokiness in vetiver tends to be similar to the smell of a slightly burnt hazelnut, and it can bring an element of warmth and depth to fragrances. 

woody

The plant’s roots give vetiver a woody aroma that can offer a certain level of freshness, perfect if you’re a lover of fragrances that feel clean and light. 

where does the vetiver smell come from?

Although variations of vetiver can be found all across the globe, the distinctly scented bunchgrass is originally native to India and Southeast Asia. 

The smell of vetiver isn’t the only unique thing about it — unlike other types of grass, vetiver grows in small tufts and has a root system that grows vertically. When left uncut, these tufts can reach up to five feet tall.

The fragrance can be extracted from the harvested bunchgrass through a few different methods, including steam distillation, cold press extraction, enfleurage, and solvent extraction. Steam distillation is the most common vetiver extraction method.

After steam distillation is complete, the aromatic compounds are transformed into essential oils. The oil is bottled in a dark container to protect it from light and maintain the rich, earthy scent.

Once quality checks have been performed on the essential oil to ensure that it’s safe and up to industry standard, the vetiver essential oil is then used to make colognes, perfumes, candles, and other scented products.

what scents pair well with vetiver? 

Vetiver can add a layer of complexity and intrigue to any fragrance, and we’re huge fans of layering your fragrances to achieve the perfect balance. 

You can combine vetiver with a wide range of scents, but if you ask us, it pairs especially well with ingredients in the same fragrance family. Think of woody notes like sandalwood, cedarwood, oakmoss, or patchouli. 

That said, you can also go the complementary route, using sweet, citrusy, or floral scents like vanilla, cherry, grapefruit, or jasmine. 

Pairing vetiver with the right fragrance can increase the scent's longevity and complexity, and you can end up with a multi-dimensional scent that develops nicely over time. With this in mind, here are some scents that pair well with vetiver. 

musk

Musk is a scent that works with almost any fragrance, and vetiver is no exception. Musk is a subtle scent made up of powdery, woodsy, earthy, sweet aromas, and when you pair musk and vetiver, it creates a green and earthy scent.

cherry

Cherry is a juicy, sweet, and tart scent that can help round out more natural fragrances. When vetiver and cherries combine, the blend of earthiness and sweetness creates an intriguing smell that can level up your everyday fragrance. 

cypress

Cypress is another woody scent that can complement vetiver with woody, smoky, and earthy nuances that differ from vetiver. Think of fresh, cold air on your face on a winter night.

bergamot

Bergamot is a great citrus scent that adds a vibrant element to vetiver. The uplifting quality of bergamot mixes with the depth of vetiver for a unique fragrance experience. 

what are some of the best vetiver fragrances? 

If you’re on the hunt for a balanced but showstopping scent featuring vetiver, Snif has some of the best vetiver fragrances on the market. Plus, they all have serious staying power, so you'll get to enjoy your new scent all day long. 

way with woods

Way With Woods is a light, woodsy fragrance that uses complementary scents to vetiver to create this fan-favorite fragrance. The woodsy scents of vetiver, sandalwood, musk, and amber wood combine with white tea and mandarin. It's an inviting fragrance you can wear day or night. 

honorable mention

Honorable Mention is a floral and woody scent that places the spotlight on vetiver, cypress, and spiced black walnut alongside a burst of sweetness from peach, jasmine, and orange blossom. It’s bright, spicy, and smooth for an instant classic (and favorite).

tart deco

Tart Deco is a 2023 Allure Best of Beauty winner for a reason. This cherry fragrance perfectly blends the smell of vetiver with muddled cherries, roses, and mimosa, then tops it all off with a blend of birchwood and vanilla. It's a fun and indulgent scent that will keep you coming back for more. 

golden ticket

Golden Ticket is a tea-inspired fragrance that combines citrusy, spicy, and woody scents. Bergamot, black tea, green tea, and golden maté pair with sage, incense, amber, and vetiver for a magical scent that sprays light but settles into a musky finish. 

your new fragrance is calling 

Vetiver is a popular fragrance ingredient that has stood the test of time, and it pairs well with a wide range of other scents. There are so many vetiver options to choose from, and if you can’t choose just one, Snif has a try-before-you-buy option on 30mL fragrances to help you pick. With try-before-you-buy, you can choose the fragrances you’d like to test out, and we’ll send you both a full size and a trial size. You have seven days to test out the trial size and live in it — now is your time to see how you feel in your new fragrance. 

If you love it, you can keep the full size. If you don’t love it, you can return the full-sized bottle — for free. We make it easy to find your new favorite fragrances and return your not-so-favorite fragrances. After all, fragrance should be fun, not frustrating.

Sources:

Chrysopogon zizanioides| NParks

Vetiver Oil Health Benefits and Uses | Healthline

Modification of sleep-waking and electroencephalogram induced by vetiver essential oil inhalation | PMC

The influence of odorants on respiratory patterns in sleep | PMC