Florist

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior florist or start your own business.

You might also work as a freelance events floral designer, doing exhibition work, demonstrations and workshops.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to work well with your hands
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to sell products and services
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence if the job involves picking up stock and making deliveries.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Florists use colour theory, composition, and visual design skills every day when creating floral arrangements, bouquets, and event displays. Understanding form, texture, and how different elements work together helps them produce arrangements that look balanced and beautiful.
• Design and Technology - Florists work with their hands to construct arrangements, using techniques like wiring, taping, and building structural frameworks for large displays. Understanding materials, tools, and the design process helps them turn a customer's brief into a finished product.
• Biology - Florists need to understand how plants grow, how to keep cut flowers fresh, and what conditions different species need to reach display condition at the right time. Knowledge of plant biology helps them care for stock and advise customers on how to look after their flowers.
• Business - Florists manage stock, build relationships with wholesalers and suppliers, and handle pricing and orders. Many florists go on to run their own shops or freelance businesses, so understanding finances, marketing, and customer service is really important.

Also relevant

• Mathematics - Florists calculate costs, manage budgets for events like weddings, and work out quantities of flowers and materials needed for each job. They also handle daily transactions and need to price their products to make a profit.
• English Language - Florists communicate with customers to understand what they want for occasions like weddings and funerals, often discussing personal and emotional requests. They also write product descriptions for online shops and handle enquiries by phone and email.
• Environmental Science - Florists increasingly need to understand where their flowers come from and the environmental impact of the supply chain. Knowledge of sustainability, seasonal growing, and sourcing locally helps them make responsible choices and respond to customer demand for eco-friendly options.