What characteristic defines perennial plants?

Perennial plants are defined by their ability to live for multiple growing seasons, returning year after year. This characteristic distinguishes them from annual and biennial plants. Annual plants complete their life cycle within a single season, while biennials live for two years, flowering and dying in the second year. In contrast, perennials may die back in the winter months but will regrow from their root system each spring, making them resilient and capable of surviving over many years. This longevity not only supports ecological stability but also makes them valuable in agriculture and landscaping, where they provide consistent yields and require less replanting effort.