herbaceous

adjective

her·​ba·​ceous ˌ(h)ər-ˈbā-shəs 

1

a

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an herb

b

of a stem : having little or no woody tissue and persisting usually for a single growing season

2

: having the texture, color, or appearance of a leaf

Examples of herbaceous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When to Plant in Fall With more rain in the fall, most shrubs and herbaceous perennials will have an easier transition planted now than in spring or summer. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025

No, think about it—impossibly creamy mashed potatoes, herbaceous stuffing, pull-apart bread rolls, green bean casserole, gooey mac and cheese—all veg! —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025

Your herbaceous perennials that don’t like wet feet in winter won’t be very happy. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Most herbaceous perennials that spread or clump can flourish when divided every few years, such as hostas, coneflowers, daylilies, phlox, and bee balm. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing herbaceous

• herbaceous border

Rhymes for herbaceous

• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• carbonaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous
• ostentatious

Kids Definition

herbaceous

adjective

her·​ba·​ceous ˌ(h)ər-ˈbā-shəs 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling an herb

2

: being a stem with little or no woody tissue and lasting usually only for a single growing season