Which type of plant tends to have a shorter life cycle?

The correct answer is annual plants, which are characterized by their very short life cycles, typically completing their entire life from germination to seed production within a single growing season. This means that annuals sprout, grow, reproduce, and die all in one year.

Annual plants are often favored in landscapes for their ability to quickly fill in spaces with vibrant colors and blooms, as they can be sowed in spring and will produce flowers and seeds by the end of the season. Because they go through their entire life cycle in such a condensed time frame, they are ideal for gardeners looking to achieve rapid results.

In contrast, perennials grow back year after year and can live for several years, while biennials typically have a two-year life cycle, where they grow leaves in the first year and flower and seed the next. Shrubs are also long-lived woody plants that can persist for many years, further emphasizing the distinction between them and annuals with their much shorter life cycle.