Classification of Plants on the Basis of Lifespan

Based on the days or years a plant requires to complete its life cycle, it can be classified into three groups. They are

• Annual Plants
• Biennial Plants
• Perennial Plants

Annual Plants

These are the plants that complete their entire life cycle within one year. That means it germinates from the seed, matures, produces flowers, fruits, and seeds and then dies within a single year. These plants exhibit rapid growth and their flowers are bright in color. The flower blooms throughout the season, because they have to attract pollinators (such as insects) within a short timespan.

Example: Wheat, corn, peas, watermelons, basil, cucumbers etc. Besides these plants, Sunflowers, Marigold, Cosmos, Zinnias etc. are some annual plants useful in horticulture.

Also Read: Difference Between Chlorophyll A and Chlorophyll B 

Biennial Plants

The term “Biennial” originates from the Latin word “bi” which means two and “annus” which means years. Biennial plants are those plants that complete their life cycle in two years. But, in these two years of their life, these plants produce flowers only once. In the first year, the plants grow vegetatively which means they only produce stems, roots and leaves. At this stage, the stem of the plant is short and the leaves are found near the ground. After this vegetative growth, the plant remains in the dormant stage in the cold season.

In the second year, during spring or summer, the stem of the plant increases its height and the plants produce flowers, fruits and seeds. After the germination of seeds, the plants die.

Examples: Parsley, Silverbeet, Common Mullein, onion, cabbage etc.

Also Read: Difference between Shoot and Stem

Perennial Plants

The term perennial originates from the Latin word “perennis” (“per” means “through” and “annus” means years). These plants survive for at least more than two years. These plants mainly bloom in spring. During autumn, the upper portion of the plant dries up but the root remain. In the next spring, a new shoot is produced from the root and thus the cycle continues. Perennial plants can be of various types such as Evergreen plants, Deciduous plants, Woody plants, herbaceous plants, Monocarpic plants and Polycarpic plants.

Examples: Apple trees, Pine trees, Bamboo trees, Maple trees etc.

Also Read: Difference Between Plant and Tree 

The difference between annual, biennial, and perennial plants lies in their life cycle and duration. Annual plants complete their life cycle within one growing season before dying. Biennial plants have a two-year life cycle, whereas perennial plants live for multiple years.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for gardeners and farmers planning and managing their plantings over time. In this article, we will learn about the difference between Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Plants.