In older classifications, Plantaginaceae was the only family of the order Plantaginales, but numerous phylogenetic studies, summarized by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, have demonstrated that this taxon should be included within Lamiales.

The plantain family as traditionally circumscribed consisted of only three genera: Bougueria, Littorella, and Plantago.

However phylogenetic research has indicated that Plantaginaceae sensu stricto (in the strict sense) were nested within Scrophulariaceae (but forming a group that did not include the type genus of that family, Scrophularia).

Plantaginaceae sensu lato (in the broad sense) are a diverse, cosmopolitan family, occurring mostly in temperate zones.

The group consists of herbs, shrubs and also a few aquatic plants with roots (such as the genus Callitriche).

Unusual in Lamiales is the absence of vertical partitions in the heads of the glandular hairs.