What is a herb plant?

A herb is a small plant with a soft, green, and usually flexible stem. Herbs are generally shorter than trees and shrubs and have delicate stems that do not become thick and woody.

Most herbs complete their life cycle in a shorter period compared to many woody plants. Their soft stems contain enough support for their small size and help transport water and nutrients to different plant parts.

Examples of herbs include grass, mint, coriander, basil, and spinach. Many herbs are important because they are used as food, medicines, and for other purposes.

The characteristics of herbs help distinguish them from shrubs and trees. Studying these differences makes it easier to classify plants based on their size, stem type, and growth structure.