Of plants, to die in a manner that retreats inward, leaving only the stems or roots. My plants died back after that period of unseasonably cold weather.
die back
[for vegetation] to die back to the stems or roots. The hedge died back in the winter but regenerated leaves in the spring.This kind of grass dies back every year.
die back
v.
To be affected by the gradual dying of plant shoots, starting at the tips and working back, as a result of weather conditions, natural growth cycle, or disease: Aerate the soil weekly when the flowers bloom and until they die back.