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

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

This delicious jam is vibrant, not too sweet with pleasing herbaceous notes. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

This herbaceous perennial poppy (Papaver alpinum) is native to the Alps and the Pyrenees and is hardy in Zones 4-6. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 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