Vertiols develop within depressions, in level to undulating landscapes, mainly in tropical, semi-arid to (sub)humid and Mediterranean climates with an alternation of distinct wet and dry seasons. Sediments that contain a high proportion of smectitic clay or products of rock weathering that have the characteristics of smectitic clay are prerequisite of Vertiol formation.

Vertisols shrink and swell upon drying and wetting. Deep wide cracks form when the soil dries out and swelling in the wet season and creates polished and grooved ped surfaces (slickensides) or wedge-shaped or parallel-sided aggregates in the subsurface vertic horizon. The landscapes of a Vertisol may have a complex micro-topography of micro-knolls and micro-basins called gilgai.

Vertisols with strong pedoturbation have a uniform particle size distribution throughout the profile but texture may change sharply where the substratum is reached. Dry Vertisols can be very hard, while wet Vertisols are very plastic and sticky.

The agricultural use of Vertisols is depending on their physical characteristics, and ranges from very extensive use through smallholder post-rainy season crop production to small-scale and large-scale irrigated agriculture. Cotton is known to perform well on Vertisols. Tree crops are generally less successful because roots find it difficult to establish themselves in the subsoil and are damaged as the soil shrinks and swells.

Vertiols tend to be found in the southern countries of Europe.