Plants for sycophants (8)

I believe the answer is:

creepers

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'plants for sycophants' is the definition.
'creepers' can be an answer for 'plants' (creeper is a type of plant). I am not certain of the 'for sycophants' bit.

This is the entire clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for creepers that I've seen before include "Soft-soled shoes" , "Virginia and Ivy, say" , "Plants growing along the ground" , "Plants, such as ivy" , "ramblers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph, The Irish News and The Guardian.

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