Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which common food crops are annual plants?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Plant
Grandidier's baobas (Adansonia grandidieri) in Madagascar.
An annual plant is defined as any plant that completes its entire life cycle—from germination to the production of seeds—within a single growing season.12
Many economically significant food crops are classified as annuals. These include:
- Cereal Grains: All major cereal crops, such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, rice, rye, and sorghum.13
- Legumes: Various types of peas and other legumes.1
- Vegetables and Gourds: Lettuce, as well as most gourds and melons.1
It is important to note that some crops commonly treated as annuals in agricultural practice are not true annuals. For example, carrots, celery, and parsley are biennials, while tomatoes and bell peppers are tender perennials that are typically harvested in a single season.1