'low-growing' originates from the compound of the English words 'low' and 'grow' (present participle 'growing'), where 'low' meant 'not high' and 'grow' meant 'to increase or become larger'.

'low' goes back to Old English words such as 'hlēow'/'hlāw' (meaning 'not high' / 'mound'), while 'grow' comes from Old English 'grōwan' (to grow); the modern compound formed by combining these elements gives 'low-growing'.

Initially the component words meant roughly 'not high' and 'to grow'; over time the compound came to be used specifically for plants that develop close to the ground, i.e. 'growing close to the ground'.