Difference Between Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Plants

Definition

These are the plants that complete their life cycle in a single year.

These are the plants that complete their life cycle in two growing seasons or years.

These are the plants that live for more than two years.

Development

These plants germinate, mature, and produce flowers, fruits and seeds within one year and then they die.

These plants produce their vegetative structures such as roots, stems and leaves in the first year. In the second year, they produce flowers, fruits, and seeds and then they die.

These plants continue to produce flowers, and fruits for several years. During autumn, their upper portion dries up but the root stays and in the next spring, they again continue to grow from the root.

Time of flowering

The flowers of these plants continue to bloom throughout the year of their lifecycle.

The flowers of these plants bloom only in the second year of their life cycle.

The flowers of these plants bloom for a week only.

Character of flowers

The flowers of these plants are showy and bright.

The flowers are not as bright as that of annual plants.

Flowers of perennial plants are less showy and less bright.

Growth and survival of the plants

These plants exhibit rapid growth and fast flowering.

These plants do not grow as rapidly as annual plants.

These plants do not exhibit rapid growth. They can survive in harsh environmental conditions.

Cost of the plants

These plants are less expensive.

These plants are more expensive than annual plants.

These plants are the most expensive of the three.

Example

Sunflowers, Corn, peas etc.

Parsley, Onion, cabbages etc.

Pine trees, Bamboo trees etc.