shallow roots
Poor foundation system
Shallow roots are a plant's root system that spreads horizontally near the soil surface rather than growing deep.
The phrase extends to anything lacking deep foundation or lasting connection: The company has shallow roots in the community.
A person with shallow roots hasn't established strong ties to a place or tradition, suggesting they could easily move on or be uprooted.
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- transplantMove tissue between bodies
- unstableProne to sudden change
top layer · blown over · windfall · annual · seedling · grass · fern · succulent · fragile · sprawling · fibrous · erosion · sandy · potted · tender · vulnerable · wilting · exposed
- jungle adaptationsbroad leaves, epiphytes, lianas, prehensile tails, tree dwelling
- plant adaptationsdrought tolerance, water storage, spines, thorns, succulents
- succulent traitsthick leaves, water storage, drought tolerance, farina, waxy coating
- Gardening Mistakesoverwatering, underwatering, overfertilizing, poor drainage, crowding
shallow rootsdeep roots
Long-standing connection to place
deeply rooted · deep-rooted · firmly established · well-established · entrenched
shallow, shallows, shallower, shallowest, shallowly, shallowness, root, roots, rooted