Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria
"Viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria are those in a state of very low metabolic activity and do not divide, but are alive and have the ability to become culturable once resuscitated." (Oliver 2009)
Sources
Oliver, James D. 2009. “Recent Findings on the Viable but Nonculturable State in Pathogenic Bacteria.” FEMS Microbiology Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6976.2009.00200.x.