What is a plant that lives for more than two years called?

A plant that lives for more than two years is called a perennial.

Perennials differ from annuals, which complete their life cycle in one growing season, and biennials, which normally take two years to flower and produce seeds. Many perennials survive unfavorable seasons through roots, bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, or woody stems, then resume growth when conditions improve.

Some herbaceous perennials, such as peonies and daylilies, die back above ground in winter but return from underground structures in spring. Trees and shrubs are also technically perennial plants, although gardeners usually use “perennial” for non-woody flowering plants. A plant’s label can depend on climate: a tomato may live for years in a frost-free region but is often grown as an annual elsewhere.

Perennials are not necessarily long-lived. Some survive only a few years, while others, including certain trees, can live for centuries. Their ability to return without yearly replanting is one reason they are important in gardens and natural ecosystems.