Horticulturist
Cares for, cultivates and propagates plants — fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and non-food crops.
Overview
A Horticulturist's primary role is the care, maintenance, cultivation propagation of plants. They apply their expertise to fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and non-food crops to maximize their health or growth. They may also design landscapes or manage golf courses and sports turf.
Where they work
- Agriculture Co-operative Organizations
- Government Research Institutes
- Private Research Companies
- Botanical gardens
- Nurseries
- Greenhouses
Work environment
If you were to work for an organization, you are likely to work both indoor and outdoor. You might have to work in a team. You are likely to have regular work hours. Organizations usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 9 to 10 hours every day. This may vary from organization to organization. Shift system may be available. Entrepreneurship: you can start your own business.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have an interest in Science
- You like working outdoors
- You pay attention to details
- You like to analyse problems/situations
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology).
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Agriculture/Horticulture.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Diploma in Horticulture.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc.) and Ph.D. in the same or allied subject.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Agricultural Sciences.
Government institutes
- Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Centurion University of Technology Management (CUTM), Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- North East Frontier Technical University, Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh
- Shri Ramaswanam Memorial (SRM) Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
- Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha
- Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh
- Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Junior Horticulturist
- 2Horticulturist
- 3Senior Horticulturist
- 4Head of Operations
Related careers to explore
Florist
Selects and arranges flowers for decoration, and packs and ships floral orders.
Vegetable Grower
Cultivates vegetables — from soil preparation and planting to harvesting and marketing the produce.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science, Agriculture.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to working outdoors.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Durga Prasad Patel — From Damoh, Madhya Pradesh. He has done his B.Sc and M.Sc in Agriculture and Horticulture, respectively. After completing his education, Patel started working with the HDFC bank as a Rural Sales Executive, after which he moved to Baran district in Rajasthan to work with the “Wadi” Project (Funded by NABARD). The project aims at promoting sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities and enhancing their income security. He currently resides in Baran.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 29 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Horticulturist/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.