These files contain data supporting all results reported in Mueller et al. "Functional Uncoupling of the Induced Defense-Competitive Growth Trade-off". Article summary as follows: Trade-offs between induced plant defenses and competitive growth are widely regarded as constrained by the limited resources plants need to invest in different life functions. This seems particularly true for early succession annuals, where exposure to competition often suppresses defense expression. Whether such trade-offs are universal across plant life histories remains unclear. We test the hypothesis that Solidago altissima, a perennial herbaceous plant, naturally uncouples this trade-off by adjusting its investment in chemical defenses when exposed to competitive cues, allowing for persistence in high-competition environments despite high herbivore pressure. Using a factorial greenhouse experiment, we manipulated competition cues (far-red light and conspecific neighbors) and insect herbivory to assess impacts on growth, resistance, and secondary metabolite production. S. altissima maintained or even enhanced herbivore-induced resistance in the presence of competition cues. Bioassays revealed reduced herbivore performance on previously damaged plants, particularly when they were exposed to neighbors. Metabolomic profiling showed general herbivory-induced production of several secondary metabolite classes. Most notably, we found a competition-enhanced production of hydroxycinnamic acids, dominated by 3-O-(E)-Feruloylquinic acid, strongly associated with resistance. Our findings challenge the generality of the growth-defense trade-off and highlight the importance of ecological context and life-history strategy in shaping plastic responses.