Plant vs. Herb: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
A plant is any member of the kingdom Plantae, while an herb is a specific type of plant valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.
Key Differences
Plants encompass a wide range of living organisms from the plant kingdom, which includes trees, shrubs, grasses, vines, ferns, and more, exhibiting a vast diversity in form and function. Herbs, however, are a specialized subset of plants, known for their culinary, medicinal, and aromatic properties. Herbs are typically small, soft-stemmed plants, and their leaves, flowers, seeds, or roots are often used for flavoring food, creating medicine, or producing fragrances.
While all herbs are plants, not all plants are considered herbs. Plants serve as the foundational entities of various ecosystems, performing crucial roles such as producing oxygen through photosynthesis and providing food and shelter to various organisms. Herbs, due to their specialized uses, are significant in human cultures for their roles in cuisine, medicine, and the arts, utilized for their distinctive flavors, therapeutic properties, and aromatic essences.
The lifecycle of plants varies greatly, with some living for centuries, while others may have a lifespan of only a few weeks. Herbs usually have shorter lifecycles and are often annuals or perennials, with their valued parts harvested for diverse uses. The distinction between plants and herbs is also marked by the parts of the plant that are of value; for herbs, the focus is usually on the flavorful or aromatic leaves, whereas, for many other plants, the focus could be on the fruits, seeds, stems, or roots.
Plants have diverse appearances and structures, ranging from tall trees to tiny mosses, adapting to various environments and ecological niches. Herbs typically manifest as small, green, leafy plants without a woody stem, distinguishing them from other plant types. Although herbs have specific defining characteristics, they are inherently diverse, representing multiple families within the plant kingdom, reflecting the richness of plant biodiversity.
The term "plant" is more inclusive, representing a vast kingdom of diverse living organisms that are essential for ecological balance and life on Earth. "Herb," on the other hand, is more exclusive, signifying plants with specific qualities and uses, particularly in the realms of food, health, and fragrance, reflecting human interaction with and utilization of the plant kingdom.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Encompasses all members of the kingdom Plantae.
Specific type of plant with culinary or medicinal value.
Uses
Diverse, including food, oxygen, and shelter.
Primarily used for flavoring, medicine, and fragrances.
Structure
Varies greatly, can be woody or non-woody.
Typically non-woody and green with soft stems.
Lifespan
Can range from weeks to centuries.
Usually have shorter lifecycles.
Categorization
A broad term for all types of vegetation.
A specific category within the plant kingdom.
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Plant and Herb Definitions
Plant
An entity with a growth habit of herb, tree, shrub, grass, or vine.
The tomato plant in our backyard is starting to bear fruit.
Herb
A plant valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.
The herb, basil, adds a fresh and flavorful touch to Italian dishes.
Plant
A living thing that is rooted to the ground, absorbing nutrients and water through its roots.
This plant is native to tropical rainforests and thrives in humid conditions.
Herb
A non-woody plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume.
Lavender is an herb known for its aromatic and calming properties.
Plant
Any of various photosynthetic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms of the kingdom Plantae characteristically containing chloroplasts, having cell walls made of cellulose, producing embryos, and lacking the power of locomotion. Plants include trees, bushes, herbs, ferns, mosses, and certain green algae.
Herb
A small, green, leafy plant, typically without a woody stem.
This herb is a crucial ingredient in traditional herbal medicine.
Plant
A plant having no permanent woody stem; an herb.
Herb
A soft-stemmed plant valued for its culinary or therapeutic properties.
The herb, mint, is popular for its refreshing flavor and aroma.
Plant
Any of various fungi, algae, or protists that resemble plants and were formerly classified in the plant kingdom. Not in scientific use.
Herb
A plant whose stem does not produce woody, persistent tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season.
Plant
A building or group of buildings for the manufacture of a product; a factory
Works in an auto plant.
Herb
Any of various often aromatic plants used especially in medicine or as seasoning.
Plant
The buildings, fixtures, and equipment, including machinery, tools, and instruments, necessary for an industrial operation or an institution
The university's mechanical plant.
Herb
(Slang) Marijuana.
Plant
A person placed in a group of spectators to influence behavior.
Herb
(countable) Any green, leafy plant, or parts thereof, used to flavour or season food.
Plant
A person stationed in a given location as a spy or observer.
Herb
(countable) A plant whose roots, leaves or seeds, etc. are used in medicine.
If any medicinal herbs used by witches were supposedly evil, then how come people from at least the past benefited from the healing properties of such herbs?
Plant
A misleading piece of evidence placed so as to be discovered.
Herb
Cannabis.
Plant
A remark or action in a play or narrative that becomes important later.
Herb
A plant whose stem is not woody and does not persist beyond each growing season
Plant
(Slang) A scheming trick; a swindle.
Herb
Grass; herbage.
Plant
To place or set (seeds, for example) in the ground to grow.
Herb
A lame or uncool person.
Plant
To place seeds or young plants in (land); sow
Plant a field in corn.
Herb
A plant whose stem does not become woody and permanent, but dies, at least down to the ground, after flowering.
Plant
To place (spawn or young fish) in water or an underwater bed for cultivation
Plant oysters.
Herb
Grass; herbage.
And flocksGrazing the tender herb.
Plant
To stock with spawn or fish.
Herb
A plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
Plant
To introduce (an animal) into an area.
Herb
Aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities
Plant
To place or fix in a certain position
Planted both feet on the ground.
Planted a kiss on my cheek.
Herb
A plant with specific uses in cooking, healing, or scent production.
Rosemary is a versatile herb used in cooking and for its aromatic oil.
Plant
To deliver (a punch or blow).
Plant
To fix firmly in the mind; implant
"The right of revolution is planted in the heart of man" (Clarence Darrow).
Plant
To establish; found
Plant a colony.
Plant
To station (a person) for the purpose of functioning in secret, as by observing, spying, or influencing behavior
Detectives were planted all over the store.
Plant
To place secretly or deceptively so as to be discovered or made public
Planted a gun on the corpse to make the death look like suicide.
Plant
To conceal; hide
Planted the stolen goods in the warehouse.
Plant
(botany) An organism that is not an animal, especially an organism capable of photosynthesis. Typically a small or herbaceous organism of this kind, rather than a tree.
The garden had a couple of trees, and a cluster of colourful plants around the border.
Plant
(botany) An organism of the kingdom Plantae; now specifically, a living organism of the Embryophyta (land plants) or of the Chlorophyta (green algae), a eukaryote that includes double-membraned chloroplasts in its cells containing chlorophyll a and b, or any organism closely related to such an organism.
Plant
(ecology) Now specifically, a multicellular eukaryote that includes chloroplasts in its cells, which have a cell wall.
Plant
Any creature that grows on soil or similar surfaces, including plants and fungi.
Plant
A factory or other industrial or institutional building or facility.
Plant
An object placed surreptitiously in order to cause suspicion to fall upon a person.
That gun's not mine! It's a plant! I've never seen it before!
Plant
Anyone assigned to behave as a member of the public during a covert operation (as in a police investigation).
Plant
A person, placed amongst an audience, whose role is to cause confusion, laughter etc.
Plant
(snooker) A play in which the cue ball knocks one (usually red) ball onto another, in order to pot the second; a set.
Plant
(uncountable) Machinery, such as the kind used in earthmoving or construction.
Plant
(obsolete) A young tree; a sapling; hence, a stick or staff.
Plant
(obsolete) The sole of the foot.
Plant
A plan; a swindle; a trick.
Plant
An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from one of natural growth.
Plant
A young oyster suitable for transplanting.
Plant
(control theory) The combination of process and actuator.
Plant
(ambitransitive) To place (a seed or plant) in soil or other substrate in order that it may live and grow.
Plant
(transitive) To place (an object, or sometimes a person), often with the implication of intending deceit.
That gun's not mine! It was planted there by the real murderer!
Plant
(transitive) To place or set something firmly or with conviction.
Plant your feet firmly and give the rope a good tug.
To plant cannon against a fort; to plant a flag; to plant one's feet on solid ground
Plant
To place in the ground.
Plant
To furnish or supply with plants.
To plant a garden, an orchard, or a forest
Plant
To engender; to generate; to set the germ of.
Plant
To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to settle; to establish.
To plant a colony
Plant
To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of.
To plant Christianity among the heathen
Plant
To set up; to install; to instate.
Plant
A vegetable; an organized living being, generally without feeling and voluntary motion, and having, when complete, a root, stem, and leaves, though consisting sometimes only of a single leafy expansion, or a series of cellules, or even a single cellule.
Plant
A bush, or young tree; a sapling; hence, a stick or staff.
Plant
The sole of the foot.
Plant
The whole machinery and apparatus employed in carrying on a trade or mechanical business; also, sometimes including real estate, and whatever represents investment of capital in the means of carrying on a business, but not including material worked upon or finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or a railroad.
Plant
A plan; an artifice; a swindle; a trick.
It was n't a bad plant, that of mine, on Fikey.
Plant
An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from one of natural growth.
Plant
To put in the ground and cover, as seed for growth; as, to plant maize.
Plant
To set in the ground for growth, as a young tree, or a vegetable with roots.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees.
Plant
To furnish, or fit out, with plants; as, to plant a garden, an orchard, or a forest.
Plant
To engender; to generate; to set the germ of.
It engenders choler, planteth anger.
Plant
To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to settle; to establish; as, to plant a colony.
Planting of countries like planting of woods.
Plant
To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of; as, to plant Christianity among the heathen.
Plant
To set firmly; to fix; to set and direct, or point; as, to plant cannon against a fort; to plant a standard in any place; to plant one's feet on solid ground; to plant one's fist in another's face.
Plant
To set up; to install; to instate.
We will plant some other in the throne.
Plant
To perform the act of planting.
I have planted; Apollos watered.
Plant
Buildings for carrying on industrial labor;
They built a large plant to manufacture automobiles
Plant
A living organism lacking the power of locomotion
Plant
Something planted secretly for discovery by another;
The police used a plant to trick the thieves
He claimed that the evidence against him was a plant
Plant
An actor situated in the audience whose acting is rehearsed but seems spontaneous to the audience
Plant
Put or set (seeds or seedlings) into the ground;
Let's plant flowers in the garden
Plant
Fix or set securely or deeply;
He planted a knee in the back of his opponent
The dentist implanted a tooth in the gum
Plant
Set up or lay the groundwork for;
Establish a new department
Plant
Place into a river;
Plant fish
Plant
Place something or someone in a certain position in order to secretly observe or deceive;
Plant a spy in Moscow
Plant bugs in the dissident's apartment
Plant
Put firmly in the mind;
Plant a thought in the students' minds
Plant
A living organism belonging to the kingdom Plantae that undergoes photosynthesis.
The plant in my garden has grown significantly over the summer.
Plant
A multi-cellular organism that has cell walls, chlorophyll, and can make its own food.
The potted plant requires adequate sunlight and water.
Plant
A member of the Plantae kingdom, typically possessing leaves and a stem.
This aquatic plant provides oxygen for the fish in the aquarium.
FAQs
Can a plant have a woody stem?
Yes, many plants, like trees and shrubs, have woody stems, unlike herbs which usually have soft stems.
Are all herbs used for culinary purposes?
While many herbs are used for culinary purposes, not all herbs are edible; some are used for medicinal or aromatic purposes.
Is the definition of plant broader than herb?
Yes, the term "plant" has a broader definition, encompassing all members of the kingdom Plantae, while "herb" is a specific category within plants.
Can an herb be a tree?
Typically, herbs are small, non-woody plants, unlike trees which have a woody structure.
Is the lifecycle of an herb shorter than other plants?
Typically, herbs do have shorter lifecycles compared to many other plants, like trees.
Can herbs be used for medicinal purposes?
Yes, many herbs are valued for their medicinal properties and are used in herbal medicine.
Do all plants perform photosynthesis?
Most plants perform photosynthesis, but there are some exceptional cases, like parasitic plants, which do not.
Are plants primary producers in ecosystems?
Yes, plants are primary producers in ecosystems, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
Are all plants edible?
No, not all plants are edible; some can be toxic and harmful if ingested.
Can herbs grow in various climates?
Yes, herbs can grow in a variety of climates, but specific herbs may have preferred growing conditions.
Do plants have a wider diversity in structure compared to herbs?
Yes, plants exhibit a vast diversity in structure, including trees, shrubs, and grasses, while herbs typically have a similar, non-woody structure.
Is every plant an herb?
No, every plant is not an herb; herbs are a specific type of plant with medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.
Are all parts of an herb useful?
While many parts of an herb can be useful, it depends on the specific herb; some herbs may have only specific parts used for culinary or medicinal purposes.
Can herbs be used for fragrance?
Absolutely, many herbs are valued for their aromatic properties and are used to create perfumes and scents.
Do all plants have roots, stems, and leaves?
While most plants have roots, stems, and leaves, there are exceptions like some algae and mosses, which may lack one or more of these structures.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
