foliage plant

American  

noun

1. any plant grown chiefly for its attractive leaves.

---

Etymology

Origin of foliage plant

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

foliage plant

Matricaria.—This is a half-hardy annual of little interest so far as its flowers are concerned, and is mostly grown as a foliage plant.

From Gardening for the Million by Alfred Pink

The house was built on the line of the street—a solid front—but the interior rooms faced a court yard, filled with the most exquisite foliage plant and palms like forest trees.

From My Trip Around the World August, 1895-May, 1896 by Eleonora Hunt

Of the value of this as a "fine foliage" plant there can be no doubt; it is very telling, and always admired.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by John Wood

I simply mention this as a foliage plant.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by John Wood

As a foliage plant it is very handsome, the leaves bending gracefully, and the whole specimen having a neat appearance.

From Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by John Wood