Florists use creativity and knowledge of plants and flowers to design and assemble floral displays. These can be sold through shops and other retail outlets to be sold to the general public, businesses, event organisers etc.
Flowers play a role in many of the key events in our life: births, romances, deaths and marriages and they can defuse the trickiest of situations. The UK fresh-cut-flower and indoor-plant market is worth £2.2bn at retail level. We spend on average £36 a year on flowers.
Floral displays and gifts are created for many different occasions and celebrations including weddings, christenings, funerals and corporate events.
A Florist’s duties usually include:
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Ordering, unpacking and conditioning flowers and plants for different occasions
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Making up bouquets and arrangements based on their own knowledge, ideas, and design books to meet customer requirements
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Helping customers to choose suitable designs, flowers and plants for different occasions
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Setting up displays at conferences or exhibitions
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Delivering displays or arrangements to homes, offices and event venues
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Maintaining a sufficient supply of fresh flowers, foliages, plants and sundry items using stock taking procedures
A good level of customer service, communication and sales skills are a must in order for florists to maximise customer service, sales opportunities and assist customers with their orders and purchasing requirements. An extensive product knowledge including the seasonal availability of flowers and foliages will also be required.
Florists need to use technical skills, creativity and flair to make original designs. Caring for flowers and plants to keep them in the best condition and prolong their life is an important part of the job, so Florists must have knowledge of the structure and needs of different flowers and plants.
Florists condition their fresh flowers and foliages by cutting stems, removing damaged flowers and leaves, placing flowers and plants in water and checking for pests. A wide knowledge of indoor plants, may be required as these may be installed and maintained in offices/workplaces or sold as gifts.
To create displays, Florists will use a range of tools including knives, scissors, secateurs, support wire, and tape. Displays can be arranged in different containers such as pots, vases and baskets, using foam and other materials. Often ribbon and other decorative accessories are used. Florists may also use dried or artificial fabric flowers.
The creation of floral arrangements for occasions such as weddings or funerals requires a high level of skill and detail often involving intricate techniques and artistic ability.
For Florists who own or manage a shop there will be additional duties and business skills required such as staff management, administration and accounting.
Florists usually work a standard full-time week during shop opening hours, usually Monday to Saturday, between 8am to 6pm. There may be times when they are required to start work early or work additional hours, especially during peak periods such as Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday. The hours often vary for self-employed florists. Part-time opportunities are available.
Florists mainly work indoors in a work area or a sales area of a shop where flowers are kept in cool conditions. Some may be required to make deliveries, so a driving licence is useful. Some shops and stores provide uniforms.
The work of a Florist will involve a lot of standing at a work bench or shop counter. It is not a job that is suitable for people with severe pollen allergies.
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and where people live:
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Starting salaries for Florists may be in line with the National Minimum Wage, with a starting salary around £9,500
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Experienced Florists may earn up to £20,000 a year
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Shop Managers may earn £30,000 a year
- Prepare plants and other resources for transportation
- Maintain the condition of plants and planted designs
- Construct funeral designs
- Construct wedding designs
- Assemble tied floristry designs
- Assemble wired floristry designs
- Display stock to promote sales to customers in a retail environment
- Process orders for retail customers
- Help customers choose products in a retail store
- Keep products available and maintain their quality in a retail environment
- Business and Selling Skills
- Work in a team / with others
- Work on your own
- Customer Care / People Skills
- Time Management
- Willingness to Learn
- Marketing Skills
- Flexible working
There are a variety of qualifications and training courses that can help you:
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Find employment
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Improve your current skills
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Gain promotion
Relevant training courses for a Florist include:
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Apprenticeships in Floristry
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Advanced National Certificate in Floristry
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BTEC First Diploma in Floristry
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BTEC National Certificate in Floristry
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BTEC National Diploma in Floristry
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BTEC National Award in Floristry
Diplomas in Work-based Floristry and Floristry Business Management are also available for study (previous NVQ titles).
Further information on Apprenticeships in Floristry can be found on the Apprenticeship website.
Once someone has worked for some time as a Florist, they may take the Society of Floristry professional qualifications:
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Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry
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Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry
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Foundation Degree - Floristry
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BA (Hons) Degree Floristry
Although it can take as little as two years to achieve a HNC or HND in many industries, typically it can take a skilled florist 5-7 years to achieve full professional status as a qualified Florist. This is due to the range and depth of skills that a professional Florist needs to master. Therefore it is not usually possible or recommended for trainees to start their training at level 4 or 5 without prior experience.
The British Florist Association is the trade association responsible for Florists in the retail sector and can also provide training advice.
Read more about all types of qualifications available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Know what course you want? Search for a training course with Lantra’s CourseFinder.
It is important to:
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Enjoy providing a high standard of customer care
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Be enthusiastic and creative about working with flowers and plants
There are an estimated 8,400 floristry businesses within the UK, employing around 28,000 people. Most shops are small business employing less than five people, although some are part of small chains. There may be both full-time and part-time opportunities.
Most Florists work for or operate a small business or are self-employed. A few large venues, event organisers and undertakers may employ their own florists.
Floristry businesses are often linked together by large ‘relay’ companies who organise flowers to be made up and delivered by a local Florist in their network, regardless of where the flowers are ordered.
There are no set academic requirements to become a Florist, although a qualification in floristry may be an advantage. Experience of working in a florist shop may also be useful in obtaining employment. It may be possible to enter this career through a floristry Apprenticeship programme.
For Florists with the experience and enthusiasm to progress, there may be limited opportunities for promotion to a managerial position.
Florists with the necessary practical and business skills sometimes become self-employed by opening their own business.
With experience, Florists may become freelance workers for a variety of businesses, teachers or professional demonstrators.
You can find out about other progression opportunities in this industry here
For further support and information on careers in the Floristry industry you can contact the Lantra Connect Service:
Tel: 02476 69 69 96 or e-mail floristry@lantra.co.uk
You can also find additional information from the following organisations and publications:
Industry Information
Publications, Magazines and Journals:
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Opening a Florist Business (British Florist Association)
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Florist & Wholesale Buyer
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Fusion Flowers