Annual plants are plants that complete their entire life cycle-from germination, growth, flowering, seed production, to death-within a single growing season, typically one year, and then die

. This means they grow quickly, produce seeds, and do not survive beyond that season. Their primary biological goal is to reproduce within that short time frame. Key characteristics of annual plants include:

• They germinate, grow, flower, set seed, and die all within one season

• They are usually herbaceous, lacking woody stems or trunks

• Annuals often have showier and more fragrant flowers than perennials because they need to attract pollinators quickly to reproduce before dying

• Many annuals produce seeds that remain dormant in the soil seed bank, allowing future generations to grow in subsequent years

• They allocate more resources to seed production and less to root development compared to perennials

• Annuals are common in agriculture and include many important food crops like corn, wheat, peas, and lettuce

There are two main types of annuals based on their growing season:

• Summer annuals: germinate in spring or early summer and die by late summer or autumn

• Winter annuals: germinate in late summer or autumn and die the following spring or summer

In gardening, many plants sold as annuals may actually be tender perennials native to warmer climates but grown as annuals in cooler regions because they cannot survive frost

. Examples of true annual plants include cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowers

. Annuals are favored in gardens for their rapid growth and vibrant blooms, providing color and interest throughout their growing season

. In summary, annual plants are fast-growing, short-lived plants that complete their life cycle in one season, focusing energy on reproduction before dying, and are widely used in agriculture and horticulture for their productivity and ornamental value.