Hydroponic experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of cadmium (Cd) on growth, Cd accumulation, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes, leaf chlorophyll, root activity, protein content and Cd uptake kinetics of vetiver grass. The results showed that 1 mg/L Cd in solution led to increased chlorophyll contents, root activity and enhanced the growth of vetiver grass after 15 days, with 2.2% biomass increased compared to the control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were significantly enhanced by all Cd supply levels. The development of toxic symptoms corresponded to a high accumulation of Cd and to the decrease of water content, chlorophyll, protein content and root activity, but to high increase in catalase and peroxidase activities in plants. Cd concentration in shoots and roots increased with increasing Cd supply levels, and reached a maximum of 93 and 2232 mg/kg Cd dry weight at 30 mg/L treatment, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.