Grass

What Does It Smell Like?

Grass in fragrance captures that precise moment after you've mowed the lawn—a bright, slightly peppery greenness tinged with something almost mineral and earthy. It's the smell of crushed stems releasing their juices, verdant and alive, with a subtle anise-like warmth underneath. There's a clean, slightly watery quality, reminiscent of damp grass on a spring morning. It's herbaceous without being medicinal, and somehow both delicate and assertively present—the olfactory equivalent of green itself.

Origin & History

Grass accords are primarily synthetic creations, the most famous being Calone's "Galbanum," derived from the resinous gum of the Ferula plant (native to Iran and Central Asia). Modern grass notes like Iso E Super and various green aldehydes are laboratory-synthesised compounds. The breakthrough came in the 1960s when chemists isolated the specific molecules responsible for that fresh-cut grass smell—primarily hexanal and related compounds. This allowed perfumers to capture authenticity without crushing tonnes of actual grass, which would yield minimal, unstable material.

In Perfumery

Grass notes function as vibrant top or middle accords, lending immediacy and freshness to compositions. Perfumers deploy them to evoke naturalism and vitality, often anchoring "ozonic" or "aquatic" fragrances. They're brilliant for creating airy, unisex scents and work beautifully alongside citrus, white florals, and woody bases, bridging the gap between aromatic and ethereal.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 22 Fragrances