Short-day plants are those that require longer periods of darkness to flower. Typically, these plants bloom when the day length is shorter than a certain threshold, usually around 12 hours. Common examples include chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and soybeans. The flowering process is triggered by the length of the night, which influences the plant's internal biological clock. These plants are often found in regions with distinct seasonal changes, where shorter days occur in the fall and winter. Gardeners can manipulate light exposure to encourage or delay flowering in short-day plants, making them popular choices for seasonal displays and agricultural production.