RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture (pre-September 2022)

This practical-based qualification equips learners with essential, hands-on skills – perfect for anyone wanting to start a professional horticulture career or develop personal interest

If you are just starting out on your RHS Qualifications journey, please see our revised RHS Level 2 Qualifications that are now available to enrol on.

Please note: This page is for candidates who have partially completed the Level 2 prior to the 2022 update.

Who is this qualification for?

Career changers. Looking to break into professional horticulture for the first time

Professional horticulturists. Already working in horticulture and wanting to develop knowledge further

Casual learners. Wanting to develop personal interest and progress to further horticultural study at level 3

Busy people. Need a flexible learning style? Our qualifications are designed to be studied part-time

Allotmenteers. Those wanting to develop their allotment from scratch
Practical Horticulture

Modules, learning outcomes and assessment

Each module is assessed by a range of practical activities timetabled and conducted at an RHS approved centre throughout the qualification

Mandatory modules

Soil testing
  • Reasons for soil testing
  • Collect and prepare soil samples for testing
  • Identify the textural class of soils
  • Determine the pH of soils
Sowing seeds and vegetative propagation techniques
  • Fill containers to a consistent standard in readiness to accept seed or propagules
  • Sow seed to a consistent and uniform standard in containers and carry out appropriate aftercare to ensure successful germination
  • Prick out seedlings into containers
  • Propagate plants from stem cuttings, leaf petiole and leaf lamina cuttings
  • Propagate plants from root cuttings during dormant season
  • Propagate plants by division during the appropriate season
  • Provide aftercare to propagules
Practical skills in ground preparation for seeding and planting
  • Select, use and maintain equipment
  • Prepare ground for seeding and planting
  • Work safely and minimise environmental damage
Practical skills in establishing seeds and plants in soil
  • Select, use and maintain equipment
  • Select and transport plants and or seeds
  • Establish plants and/or seeds in soil
  • Work safely and minimise environmental damage
Care and pruning of plants
  • Re-pot and pot on
  • Provide aftercare to aid the establishment of plants that have been re-potted and those growing in the open ground
  • Know how to apply the principles of pruning
  • Prune a range of plants to achieve specified outcomes
Identification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
  • Understand how plants are botanically named
  • Identify a range of plants, seeds, pests, diseases and disorders
  • Know a range of beneficial birds, animals and insects

Optional modules (choose one)

Sustainable garden practice
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with sustainable garden practice
  • Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing
  • Select and use a range of tools, equipment and materials
  • Make and use garden compost
  • Harvest rainwater, conserve grey water, store appropriately and use to irrigate plants
  • Use green manure, compost and natural materials to enhance soil fertility and feed plants
  • Prepare liquid organic materials and apply to plants 
  • Select plant species adapted for specific environmental conditions
  • Select and make provision for beneficial birds, animals and insects
  • Prevent and control pests, weeds and diseases using sustainable practices
Practical skills in the maintenance of established soft fruit
  • Select, use and maintain tools and equipment for soft fruit production
  • Identify a range of pests, diseases and disorders affecting soft fruit
  • Carry out maintenance operations on a range of soft fruit
  • Harvest soft fruit
  • Dispose of waste safely and correctly
Practical skills in vegetable growing
  • Select, use and maintain tools and equipment for vegetable growing
  • Produce plans for sowing and growing a range of vegetable crops
  • Prepare a site for sowing and growing vegetable crops
  • Direct sow and establish a range of vegetable crops
  • Select and use protective environments for growing on vegetable crops
  • Perform maintenance tasks on a range of vegetable crops
  • Dispose of waste safely and correctly
Practical skills in the maintenance of top fruit
  • Select, use and maintain tools & equipment for fruit production
  • Identify a range of pests, diseases and disorders affecting top fruit
  • Carry out maintenance operations on a range of top fruit
  • Harvest top fruit
  • Dispose of waste safely and correctly
Safe operation of powered garden machinery (Over 16s only)
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with powered garden machinery
  • Select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing
  • Carry out pre-start checks on powered garden machinery
  • Check that all safety signage, guards and devices are in position and operating correctly
  • Identify machine controls and define their function
  • Adjust a limited range of garden machinery for specified tasks
  • Use garden machinery safely and effectively
  • Clean and check garden machinery after use
  • Dispose of waste associated with the use of powered garden machinery
Establishing, repairing and maintaining a lawn (Over 16s only)
  • Select and safely use tools, equipment and machinery
  • Establish a new area of lawn
  • Carry out lawn repairs
  • Carry out efficient and effective mowing operations
  • Remove thatch from a lawn
  • Identify lawn problems and methods of control
  • Apply a fertiliser to an established law

Useful documents and information

Qualification specification

Practical qualification FAQs

Policies and procedures

More (pre-September 2022) RHS Level 2 Qualifications

After the qualification

Career opportunities

You will have gained a range of horticultural knowledge relevant to employment in various roles in commercial plant production and the horticultural sector, such as a head gardener or supervisor in private, public, or botanic gardens or parks and urban green spaces. 

See more on horticultural careers >>

Further learning

The qualification supports progression to level 3 courses in horticulture (RHS Level 3 Qualifications) or entry onto various horticultural training programmes.

University of Surrey student

“Studying for the RHS Level 2 certificate in Practical Horticulture gave me the confidence and ability to change my career and life for the better.” - Jonathan Cattell, Level 2 student

Read more learner stories

More from RHS Qualifications

RHS Level 2 Qualifications

RHS Level 2 Qualifications

RHS Level 3 Qualifications

RHS Level 3 Qualifications

Browse all RHS Qualifications

Browse all RHS Qualifications

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.