We see a huge variety of plants all around us. Among which few are terrestrial and aquatic plants. Despite this fact, they all have the same parts and the same functions; they appear unique with different types of roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds etc. Therefore, the classification of plants is mainly based on several factors, and it can be further classified based on their height, tenderness of stem, branches and their life cycle.

In this article, let us know in detail about the classification of Plants based on Growing Habits. Before that, let us define the term “Growth Habit.”

Table of Contents

• What is Growth Habit?
• Classification
  • Herbs
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Climbers
  • Creepers

In horticulture, the term growth habits refer to the plant’s growth and its development or change in the plant’s height, shape and the kind of growth it undergoes. There are genetic factors as well as environmental factors which play an important role in their growth habit.

For instance, interaction with various animals influences the way plants adapt to their environment. From an evolutionary perspective, growth habits have the function of ensuring the survival and adaptation of plants in various habitats, consequently increasing the chances of successfully passing on the genes to the next generation.

If we consider plants, based on their height, some are too short while some are too tall to climb. Besides the height, stem thickness, delicacy also varies.

For example– Short plants have greenish, soft, and tender stems, while big and tall plants or trees have a thick, strong and woody stem which are hard to break. 

Explore more: Classification of Plants

Based on the growth habit, plants are broadly categorised into three groups:

Herbs, Shrubs and Trees

The herb is a short-sized plant with soft, green, delicate stem without the woody tissues. They complete their life cycle within one or two seasons. Generally, they have few branches or are branchless. These can be easily uprooted from the soil. Herbs contain enough nutritional benefits, including vitamins and minerals, to make it a part of a healthy balanced diet. Tomato, wheat, paddy, grass and bananas are a few examples of herbs.

Explore more: Herbs and their Benefits

Shrubs are medium-sized, woody plants taller than herbs and shorter than a tree. Their height usually ranges between 6m to 10m tall. Their features include bushy, hard, and woody stems with many branches. Although stems are hard, they are flexible but not fragile. The life-span of these plants usually depends on the species. Rose, jasmine lemon, tulsi, and henna are some of the common shrubs around us.

Explore more: Shrubs and their Uses

Trees are big and tall plants. They have very thick, woody and hard stems called the trunk. This single main stem or the trunk gives rise to many branches that bear leaves, flowers and fruits. Some trees are branchless like coconut tree; i.e., they have only one main stem which bears leaves, flowers, and fruits all by itself. The life-span of the trees are very large. i.e., for several years. Banyan, mango, neem, cashew, teak, oak are some examples of trees.

In addition to these three categories of plants, there are two more types which need some support to grow. They are specifically called climbers and creepers.

Climbers are much more advanced than creepers. Climbers have a very thin, long and weak stem which cannot stand upright, but they can use external support to grow vertically and carry their weight. These types of plants use special structures called tendrils to climb. Few climbers plants names include pea plant, grapevine, sweet gourd, money plant, jasmine, runner beans, green peas, etc.

Creepers, as the name suggests, are plants that creep on the ground. They have very fragile, long, thin stems that can neither stand erect nor support all its weight. Examples include watermelon, strawberry, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.

Also Read: Photosynthesis Process

Learn more about Plants, its types, importance and other related topics @ BYJU’S Biology