RHS Level 2 Certificate: Principles of Plant Growth & Development
- Regular price
- £950.00
- Sale price
- £950.00
- Regular price
-
Tax included.
Want to build a career in horticulture or deepen your gardening knowledge? The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development is one of the most respected horticultural qualifications in the UK — perfect for beginners, career changers and working horticulturists alike.
This online course gives you expert-led training in how plants grow, develop and thrive, helping you gain the skills and confidence to progress in the gardening industry. Recognised by employers, trusted by professionals, and backed by the world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society.
By enrolling, you’ll not only acquire essential scientific knowledge but also practical insights that can transform your approach to gardening and plant care. Whether you dream of working in garden design, landscaping, nursery management, or botanical research, investing in this qualification can open doors to exciting job opportunities, professional growth, and the chance to make a real impact in the green industry. Don’t just love plants - master them, and watch your career flourish!
SUCCESS
Results That Matter
Learning with Experts helps RHS Level 2 learners build confidence, stay engaged, and achieve meaningful outcomes through expert-led online learning.
Units & Topics
What You Will Learn
This course provides a strong foundation in plant biology, health, identification, and styles, ensuring students develop a well-rounded understanding of how plants grow, thrive, and respond to different conditions.It consists of two key units, divided into four topics each:
1. Plant Science 1
Provides underpinning knowledge of the plant, its structure and function.
2. Plant Health
Provides underpinning knowledge and understanding of the effect of a range of factors on plant health.
3. Plant Nutrition
Provides horticultural knowledge of plant nutrition and growing media.
4. Plant Specification
Provides horticultural knowledge to make recommendations for planting based on matching plant need and site requirements.
5. Plant Science 2
Provides an understanding of the range and role of plant adaptations.
6. Planting Styles
Provides horticultural knowledge of the factors involved in creating a wide range of different horticultural plantings.
7. Horticulture and Society
Allows learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of horticulture’s contribution to society, including social, environmental and economic.
8. Biodiversity
Provides an applied knowledge of the roles of plants in creating habitats to encourage biodiversity.
Course Information
The RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development is an internationally recognised qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society. This course is based on the new 2022 syllabus.
Given our learning platform, we can accommodate students in different time zones, and allow the flexibility for you to learn around your own schedule, and start right away.
Examinations
At the end of your learning, you will have to sit two exams which are split up based on the two Units. Students who are learning with us will take these exams online from home. We will handle all of the bookings on your behalf. The exams are normally held in February, June and October (on specific days in each month). You are welcome to split up the Unit exams into two separate sessions. Whilst you must complete the exams to gain the qualification, we won't make bookings for a specific exam session without your explicit consent.
Assignments & Feedback
During your time in each of the 8 topics, you will test your exam writing skills in a series of lesson-end assignments. Whilst these don't count towards your final grade (this is dictated by the exam results), they do give you a chance to put your learning into action and receive exam-related feedback based on your responses. Tutor feedback is issued for each of these assignments; usually within 72 hours of submittal.
Total Course Time
There are 46 lessons in total, spread over the 8 topics. We find most students like to take 1 lesson per week, but you can study faster or slower. You can also take breaks between topics. The two overall measures we use are Guided Learning Hours (GLH), which sets this course at 120 hours, and Total Qualification Time (TQT) which sets this course at 180 hours.
Your Path to Qualification
You'll be ready to take your exam when you have completed all the lessons, assignments, and worked through the qualification-wide outcomes learning material and exam preparation materials.
The course price includes all 46 lessons of content, the online RHS exams and registration fees, and also qualifies you for RHS student membership.
Course Tutors
Tom Cole
Tom has extensive experience delivering RHS qualifications at Capel Manor College. He is an RHS Associate and speaker, writes qualifications for Pearson/BTEC, and marks RHS Level 2 exams. Alongside teaching, he runs a soft landscaping business, broadcasts on BBC Radio Essex, and contributes to garden magazines.
Dr Noel Kingsbury
Noel is an acclaimed garden designer, best-selling author of numerous books and long-time collaborator of the renowned designer Piet Oudolf. With a doctorate from the University of Sheffield he is a leading figure in naturalistic planting design and the New Perennial Movement.
Dr Stephen Millam
Dr Millam studied Horticulture at Writtle College. He then spent 20 years as a plant scientist in Scotland and is now a lecturer who has successfully delivered RHS courses for over 18 years.
Chris Whitelock
Chris is a Senior Examiner for the RHS and a consultant and trainer for horticultural businesses and trade organisations. He has also inspected horticultural colleges for Ofsted and has been a Head of Horticulture for numerous institutions.
Ki Tong
Ki is studying for her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on the design of outdoor spaces for older adults in care homes. She is also a chartered landscape architect with over 8 years of design and construction experience.
Buy as a Gift
To gift this course, simply tick the box beside the add to basket button. You’ll be able to add the recipient’s name and a personal message, then choose to send it to them or yourself.
Buy for a Business or Group
This course can be purchased for individuals or groups (up to 20) through your business or organisation. Please speak to us to learn more.
Common Questions
Answers to the most common questions about learning with us.
Our online classroom is designed to help you learn from experts in a collaborative, social environment alongside a small group of learners.
Each lesson combines expert-led videos with optional assignments, giving you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and share your work with others. You can take part in ongoing discussions, ask questions, exchange feedback, and learn from a community of like-minded people from around the world.
By learning together in a small, supportive group, you benefit not only from expert guidance but also from shared ideas, perspectives, and experiences—helping you stay engaged and retain what you learn.
You can start your course at any time within 12 months of purchase. Once you begin, you’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit lesson videos and notes whenever you like.
Courses are designed to fit around your schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Each lesson video is typically 30–40 minutes, and we recommend around an hour for each assignment.
Both Peer and Expert options give you full access to the course content, including lesson videos, downloadable notes, assignments, and a collaborative online classroom with up to 20 learners. You’ll also have lifetime access to revisit the material at any time.
The Expert option includes everything in Peer, plus personalised assignment feedback, direct messaging with your expert tutor, and a certificate of completion.
With the Expert option, you can interact directly with your tutor throughout the course. You’ll typically have one week per lesson to ask questions and receive feedback on your assignments, with as much interaction as you need during that time.
Your tutor access begins when you enter the classroom and follows the course schedule (for example, a four-lesson course usually runs over four weeks). If you need more time or support, our team is here to help.