What type of plants complete their life cycle in a single year or less?

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in a single year or less, meaning they germinate from seed, grow, flower, and produce seeds all within one growing season. This rapid life cycle allows them to take advantage of favorable conditions and is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from other types of plants such as perennials and biennials.

Perennials, in contrast, live for more than two years, often growing back each year from their root systems. Biennials require two years to complete their life cycle, typically growing vegetatively in the first year and flowering in the second. Deciduous plants refer to those that shed their leaves seasonally, and this classification does not pertain specifically to the length of their life cycle but rather their growth habit.

This distinction helps in understanding plant management and gardening practices, especially when selecting plants based on their life cycle duration and seasonal behavior.