Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Horticultural manager

Horticultural manager

Alternative titles for this job include Garden centre manager

Horticultural managers oversee operations in garden centres, plant nurseries, crop production facilities, parks and gardens.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 46

You could work

weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • horticulture and management
  • commercial horticulture
  • horticulture and plant science

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

You can choose a course that includes a placement or internship. Your university careers service can also help you find work experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could work towards this role by doing a college course in a subject like:

  • horticulture
  • practical horticulture
    • horticultural practice
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Horticulture or Landscaping Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with a garden centre or horticultural business.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a horticultural worker to get experience and work your way up to an assistant manager then manager role.

Other Routes

You could study for qualifications with a professional organisation like The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS).

Some larger companies have graduate schemes, working with fresh food produce and crops.

Further information

You can find out more about horticultural careers from The Royal Horticultural Society and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • knowledge of biology
  • business management skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a horticultural manager, you could:

  • prepare and update business plans
  • manage staff, stock and budgets
  • develop new products and planting programmes
  • co-ordinate crop planting, irrigation and harvesting in large scale greenhouses
  • manage pests, disease and weed control
  • negotiate prices with wholesalers and suppliers
  • advise garden centre customers on growing methods and plant care

Working environment

You could work in an office, at a garden centre or in parks and gardens.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

You might also specialise in a particular branch of horticulture, such as:

  • garden design
  • plant breeding and research
  • tree growing
  • polytunnel fruit, vegetable and flower production
  • horticultural broadcasting and writing

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Horticulture Supervisor Apprentice

  • Wage: £24,413 a year Annually
  • Location: Newton Abbot
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Horticulture

  • Provider: DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: MIDDLETON-BY-WIRKSWORTH

Horticulture

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 14 September 2026
  • Location: Leeds
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, we're open 10am to 5pm.

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.