Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Practice Exam

What is the main characteristic of perennial plants?

1. They grow only for one season

2. They live for more than two years, returning each season

3. They require constant replanting

4. They are sensitive to environmental changes

The correct answer is: They live for more than two years, returning each season

Perennial plants are defined by their life cycle, which allows them to live for more than two years and return each season, typically coming back from their root system. This characteristic distinguishes them from annual and biennial plants, which have different growing habits. Annual plants complete their life cycle within a single growing season, while biennials live for two years before completing their growth and reproduction. Perennials can often survive adverse conditions through winter dormancy, returning again in the spring when conditions are favorable for growth. This enduring nature allows them to establish more substantial root systems over time, often making them more resilient and less resource-intensive once established. The other options do not accurately describe the inherent nature of perennial plants. Since they do not fit the definition of perennials, they illustrate the contrast in plant life spans and adaptability.