Horticulture is an agronomic science that deals with the study of cultivating trees, plants, flowers, and landscape architecture. It focuses on growing plants for human consumption as well as for aesthetic or medicinal purposes. Horticulture also incorporates design ideas, science, and technology.

Horticulture is divided into five main branches, that is, pomology, viticulture, floriculture, oenology and landscape architecture and study topics include plant biotechnology, environmental and horticultural biology, urban ecology, wild plant identification, fruit development, and many more. Programmes in horticulture also give students the chance to combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience in greenhouses.

Horticulture students get access to both theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject and in addition to learning about plants and how to care for them, students who study horticulture will be able to draw connections between environmental elements and plant cultivation. The correct design principles for landscape gardening are also taught to future horticulture experts and a degree in Horticulture is ideal for candidates who are interested in growing and cultivating plants and who want to work closely with nature.

Study levels:

Courses in Horticulture are offered at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels by different colleges and universities around the world, via degrees, diplomas and certificates. These include:

• Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
• Bachelor in Horticulture and Business Management
• Bachelor of Plant Protection and Quarantine Assessment
• Bachelor in International Horticulture and Management
• Bachelor in Horticulture Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Horticulture
• Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness: Horticulture
• Bachelor of Entomology and Plant Pathology
• Bachelor of Technology in Horticulture
• Master of Science in Horticulture 
• Master of Science in Agroecology and Plant Health
• Master in Integrative Plant Sciences
• Master in Plant and Forest Biotechnology
• Master’s Degree in Applied Plant Biology
• Master of Science in Integrated Plant and Animal Breeding
• Master of Science in Environmental and Plant Biotechnology
• Master in Genetic and Molecular Plant Science
• Master in International Horticultural Science
• Master of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants
• Postgraduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
• Doctorate of Philosophy in Horticulture

Specialisations:

Different colleges and universities offer students a wide range of topics in Horticulture with a disciplinary focus that is centred around the following:

• Floriculture
• Pomology
• Nursery Plant Propagation
• Olericulture
• Landscape Horticulture
• Crop Physiology
• Tropical and Subtropical Vegetables
• Growth and Development of Horticulture Crops
• Plant-Parasitic Nematode
• Genetics
• Food Technology
• Water Management in Horticulture Crops
• Ornamental Horticulture
• Plant Breeding
• Commercial Floriculture
• Plantation Crops
• Orchard Management
• Breeding of Fruits
• Soil Science
• Organic Farming
• Apiculture
• Post-Harvest Management
• Breeding and Seed Production
• Plant Biotechnology
• Horticulture Business Management
• Processing of Horticulture Crops

Employability:

Graduates in horticulture may find employment in fields like crop development, floral event planning, landscape design, and plant genetics and they typically pursue careers in horticultural engineering, gardening, groundskeeping, advisory, research, or education.

Job titles include:

• Plant Pathologist
• Consultant in Horticulture
• Ornamental Horticulturist
• Horticultural Technician
• Plant Care Worker
• Landscape Designer
• Horticulturist
• Horticultural Education Supervisor
• Assistant Manager of Human Resources
• Farm Supervisor
• Pomologist
• Soil Scientist
• Seed Analyst
• Marketer
• Floriculturist
• Pest Manager
• Irrigation Manager
• Researcher
• Foreman
• Gardener
• Nursery Staffer
• Horticultural Inspector
• Business Management.