Requirements

Horticultural trade - requirements

As a worker in the horticultural trades, often called a horticulturist, you’ll be an expert in the growing, harvesting and selling of plants or plant products. Here you can find out more about building a career in the horticultural trades, see what it involves and learn how you can get into the industry.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a horticulturalist?

Having a relevant qualification like horticulture or crop production is very valuable for getting into the industry and progressing in your career.

Subjects that are suited to horticulturalist careers include:

You’ll be able to get into the horticultural trades through a range of non-degree qualifications instead of doing a degree course, if you prefer. This could take the form of a foundation degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND).

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a horticulturalist?

Postgraduate qualifications aren’t needed in this field, but they can improve your employability for specialised and scientific roles.

Examples of taught MAs and postgraduate research degrees include:

Horticulture
Crop production
Postharvest technology
Agriculture

What skills do you need to be a horticulturalist?

In this role you’ll benefit from being organised, motivated and knowledgeable about the subject matter of your work.

Hard skills usually include:

Using machinery
Horticultural knowledge
Pruning, trimming, weeding methods
Using chemicals
Irrigation

Soft skills include:

Managing processes
Self-motivation
Physical fitness
Communication
Eye for detail

Do you need work experience to be a horticulturalist?

Practical work experience is essential to succeeding in the horticultural trades. You could find a part time job in a gardening or farming business before or during your studies, or volunteer to gain experience and find out what you like.

Horticulture has many paid or volunteer opportunities around the world, so getting experience abroad is always an option.

Many horticultural or related science courses help their students get placements during or between their studies.