She grows up to be the clinging type (3)
I believe the answer is:
ivy
'she' is the definition.
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ivy that I've seen before include "Clinging, parasitical plant" , "Vine with evergreen leaves" , "The ... League comprises USA's top universities" , "Climbing plant, associated with holly" , "Climbing shrub; f. name" .)