Which of the following describes annual plants?

Annual plants are characterized by their life cycle, which is completed within a single growing season. This means that they germinate, grow, flower, produce seeds, and die all within one year. The efficiency of this life cycle allows annual plants to take advantage of favorable conditions during a particular season, which is why they are commonly found in gardens and agricultural settings.

In contrast, other types of plants, such as perennials, live for multiple years, while biennials complete their life cycles over two years. The description of plants that bloom only once does not accurately capture the broader category of annual plants, as many annual plants may flower multiple times during their growing season. Thus, the defining feature of annual plants is their ability to complete their life cycle within one growing season.