Which of the following is a characteristic of biennial plants?

Biennial plants are defined by their life cycle, which spans two growing seasons. During the first season, these plants typically focus on vegetative growth, developing roots, stems, and leaves. They then enter a period of dormancy over the colder months. In the following season, the biennial plants will flower, produce seeds, and complete their life cycle.

The other options describe different categories of plants: annual plants complete their life cycle within a single growing season, perennial plants can live for three years or more, and the ability to produce seeds is an essential function for most plant types, including biennials. Therefore, requiring two growing seasons to mature is a defining characteristic of biennial plants.