The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, while perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years,. returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that annuals will bloom throughout the entirety of their season, whereas perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

decompose, they contribute vital soil nutrients, and they also provide important nesting materials for pollinators and wildlife.

A true annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle within a single growing season.