A Realistic Guide on How to Become a Florist

Working with flowers is creative and hands-on. For this reason, people often want to know how to become a florist in the UK and turn their love for flowers into a real job. Florists make bouquets and flower designs for weddings, funerals, events, and everyday occasions. They usually work in shops, supermarkets, garden centres, or studios. Through their work, they bring colour, joy, and beauty into people’s lives.

Floristry is not a normal nine-to-five job. Most florists work 24–42 hours a week. Their work often starts early in the morning. They also work on weekends, especially during busy events. At the start, florists earn around £22,000 a year. With more experience, they can earn up to £28,000. The good news is that you don’t need a degree to begin. What matters most are creativity, energy, and strong people skills.

Now, let’s dive in and explore the steps you can take to become a florist.

How to Become a Florist?

Working with flowers lets you be creative every day and have a real job. If you learn the right skills and get experience, you can start a job that makes people happy. Later, you can take on bigger projects or even open your own flower shop.

Here are the main steps to start your career as a florist:

Get basic education and confidence

You do not need a degree to start, but GCSEs in English and maths help a lot. English helps you talk to customers and suppliers clearly. Maths helps you with pricing, measuring, and managing orders. Being confident in these skills makes your daily work easier.

Choose your path into floristry

There are a few ways to begin. You can take a college course in Floral Design or Floristry (Level 1–3) to learn important skills. Another choice is an apprenticeship. It lets you learn while earning money. Some people start as trainees or assistants in shops or studios. While working, short courses can help you focus on weddings, funerals, or event flowers.

Build skills and a portfolio

Learn techniques like hand-tied bouquets, wedding flowers, and funeral arrangements. At the same time, study colour, flower care and seasonal flowers. Take photos of your work. A portfolio shows your skills to employers or clients and helps track your progress.

Decide between employment or self-employment

Start in a shop, supermarket or studio to get experience. When you feel ready, you can try freelance or event work. Many florists later open their own shop or delivery service. Self-employment gives more freedom, but you also need to plan, stay organised, and manage your business carefully.

What Does a Florist Do Day to Day?

Being a florist is more than arranging flowers. Every day is a mix of creative work, hands-on tasks, and helping customers.

Design and make flowers

• Make bouquets, wreaths, vases, centrepieces, and big flower displays.
• Follow customer ideas or use your own designs for weddings, funerals, events, and everyday gifts.

Take care of flowers and stock

• Receive new flowers and prepare them for display.
• Trim stems, remove leaves, water, and hydrate flowers.
• Rotate stock and refresh displays so flowers stay fresh and look nice.

Help customers and do admin

• Help customers choose flowers and take orders in person, by phone, or online.
• Write cards, price products, take payments, and schedule deliveries.
• Update social media or the shop website to show your work.

Events and deliveries

• Prepare flowers for weddings, funerals, and events.
• Deliver arrangements and set up at venues.
• Work can start very early or finish late depending on the event.

Clean and keep the shop nice

• Sweep floors, clean buckets and vases, and tidy your work area.
• Make sure the shop looks neat and welcoming for customers.

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Florist?

Being a florist means using creativity, practical skills, and good customer care to make beautiful flowers. Here are the main skills you need to do well:

Be creative with designs

• Mix colours, shapes, and textures to make beautiful flower arrangements.
• Change your designs to suit weddings, funerals, events, or daily bouquets.

Know your flowers

• Learn the names, seasons, and care needs of different flowers.
• Know which flowers need special care or are unsafe to touch.

Talk and connect with customers

• Listen carefully and give clear advice.
• Handle complaints calmly and suggest extras to make customers happy.

Stay strong and manage time

• Stand for long hours, lift buckets, and finish work on time.
• Work on many orders at once without stress.

Use business and online skills

• Price products, keep simple accounts, and manage orders.
• Share your work online with social media or shop websites to get more customers.

Do You Need Qualifications to Be a Florist?

You don’t need any formal qualifications to start working as a florist in the UK. Many people begin by learning while they work, picking up experience every day. Still, some training can help you grow faster and get better opportunities. That’s why career services, like the National Careers Service, suggest college courses, apprenticeships, or private classes to help you do the job well.

Some common options are the City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Floristry for beginners and the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma for people who want to handle bigger projects or manage others. Colleges also offer Level 1–3 diplomas in Floral Design or Floristry, where you get hands-on practice. Apprenticeships are another option—they let you earn money while you learn and usually require GCSEs in English and maths for higher levels.

Having training shows employers that you are serious. It also gives you the chance to work at weddings, events, or even open your own flower shop one day.

How Can You Get Experience in Floristry?

The best way to learn floristry is by doing it. You can get your first experience by working in a flower shop, supermarket floral department, or garden centre. You will handle flowers, make simple bouquets, and help keep the shop tidy. At the same time, college courses, especially Level 2 or 3, give you hands-on practice. Many courses have projects, events, or placements with local florists. This lets you learn while you work.

Volunteering is another good way to gain experience. You can help with community events, church flowers, weddings for friends or family, or charity functions. This also gives you pictures to show your work. Short workshops or flower schools are useful too. Even one-day courses can teach skills for weddings, funerals, or special events. Doing these things together will help you grow and succeed as a florist.

What Training Courses Help You Become a Florist?

There are clear paths in the UK to start a career in floristry. For beginners, college courses are a great option. You can begin with a Level 1 Certificate in Floral Design and then move on to a Level 2 Certificate, Technical Certificate, or Diploma in Floristry. After that, a Level 3 Extended or Advanced Diploma teaches more advanced techniques. These courses give you hands-on practice and show you how to create different flower arrangements.

The British Florist Association recommends choosing courses that are recognised in the industry rather than hobby classes if you want a real career. Another option is apprenticeships. Intermediate and advanced apprenticeships let you work and learn at the same time. They usually need GCSEs and also give recognised certificates. Finally, you can join short courses at private flower schools or online. These are useful if you want to specialise in weddings, events, eco-floristry, or if you are retraining part-time.

Can You Become a Florist Without Formal Training?

Yes, you can start by learning on the job. Many small florists hire junior or trainee staff and train them in the shop. At first, passion, reliability, and being ready to work flexible hours matter more than formal qualifications.

At the same time, having qualifications helps you move forward. They make it easier to work for different employers, specialise in weddings or events, and even teach or run your own business. You don’t need a degree to be a florist, but the job can still be creative, rewarding, and pay well.

What Are the Costs of Becoming a Florist?

Starting as a florist can cost different amounts depending on your path. College courses for Level 2 or 3 programs vary by location and funding. You also need basic tools like a floral knife (£5–£15), branch cutters (£10–£20), and thorn strippers (~£7). Small items like foam, wires, ribbons, and vases are cheap alone but add up when used a lot.

If you want to open a full shop, monthly flower costs can be £2,500–£4,500. First-year expenses may reach around £172,000 depending on shop size and fit-out. Starting small at home or online costs less, about £10,000–£40,000 for tools, stock, storage, and marketing. Working in a shop keeps costs low, but running your own business needs money, planning, and hard work.

How Much Do Florists Earn in the UK?

Florists’ pay can be different depending on experience and location. Beginners usually earn about £22,000 a year, while experienced florists can make up to £28,000. Some surveys show the average is around £30,000, with most earning between £21,870 and £35,900. In London, pay is higher, and skilled florists can earn more than £46,000.

Even though most florists earn less than the UK full-time salary average of £39,000, there are ways to earn more. Freelancers, event florists, or shop owners can increase their income by being creative and building loyal customers. With hard work, talent, and dedication, floristry can be a satisfying and rewarding career.

What Career Paths Are Available in Floristry?

Floristry is not just working behind a shop counter. You can start as an assistant in a high-street shop and grow into a senior florist or manager. Supermarkets and garden centres also hire florists to look after their flower sections. Studio florists focus on weddings, events, and special orders. You could even work in flower markets or with wholesalers, supplying flowers to shops and businesses.

If you like independence, being self-employed gives many options. You could focus on weddings, funerals, delivery services, subscription bouquets, or seasonal and eco-friendly flowers. Later, you might open your own shop, manage more than one location, teach workshops, or create products for brands. With creativity and hard work, floristry can be a fun and flexible career.

Final Thoughts on Becoming a Florist

So, how to become a florist in the UK? First, you need to know what the job really is. It is more than just arranging flowers. You need to be creative, use your hands, and enjoy helping people. The work can be fun and satisfying, but it can also be hard. You may have early mornings and very busy days. Knowing what you do each day helps you understand the pay, training, and effort needed.

You do not need a degree to start. Many florists learn while working, take short courses, or do apprenticeships. A recognised qualification, like City & Guilds, can help you learn more, take on bigger jobs, and grow your career. To do well, you need design skills, customer care, and some business sense. The best florists often run their own shop, work at events, or have loyal clients. Combining creativity and effort can turn your love for flowers into a profession.

FAQs

1. What qualifications do you need for floristry?
   You don’t need a degree. GCSEs help, and recognised courses or apprenticeships give you a strong start.

2. How many years does it take to become a florist?
   You can start working in months, but to become fully skilled or run your own shop takes 2–4 years of experience and training.

3. What is the 3 5 8 rule in floristry?
   It’s a simple guide for arranging flowers: 3 types of blooms, 5 stems of each, and 8 leaves or fillers for balance and volume.

4. How much does a qualified florist earn?
   On average, £22k–£28k/year, but experienced or specialist florists can earn £30k–£40k, and business owners even more.

5. Can you be a self-taught florist?
   Yes! Passion, practice, and creativity go a long way, but courses help you grow faster and open doors to bigger projects.

6. Are florists in demand in the UK?
   Yes. Weddings, events, and local shops always need skilled florists, and the rise of online flower deliveries boosts demand too.

7. What is the 3 5 8 rule for weddings?
   It helps make wedding bouquets look perfect: 3 main flowers, 5 supporting blooms, and 8 leaves or fillers to add shape and volume.