Green Bay High School
Florist Kaihoko Putiputi
Florists sell plants and fresh flowers and use them to design and create floral arrangements.
Florists may do some or all of the following:
- design and create fresh flower arrangements
- buy flowers, plants and decorations from sales representatives
- keep plants and flowers fresh and healthy
- help people choose plants and flower arrangements
- arrange delivery of flowers
- keep records and accounts
- attend markets and auctions and bid for flowers.
Physical Requirements
Florists need to:
- be reasonably fit
- have good hand-eye co-ordination
- not be allergic to pollen or flowers.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for florists includes:
- work that involves customer service or handling money
- window-dressing work
- work in plant nurseries.
Personal Qualities
Florists need to be:
- creative and artistic, with a good eye for colour, texture and detail
- confident and good at communicating
- adaptable
- skilled at planning and organising.
Skills
Florists need to have knowledge of:
- flowers and plants
- trends in floristry
- how to care for and arrange cut flowers
- ordering procedures
- sales and basic business skills
- occupational health and safety procedures.
Conditions
Florists:
- work regular business hours, but may also start early or work evenings and weekends
- mainly work in shops and retail outlets
- may work in cold conditions
- may have to travel to make deliveries, purchase flowers, or prepare arrangements.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a florist. However, business studies, painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking are useful.
Related Courses
Florists can earn around $23-$24 per hour.
Pay for florists varies depending on experience.
- New florists can expect to earn the minimum wage.
- Florists with one to three years' experience usually earn up to $24 an hour.
- Senior florists with three to six years' experience usually earn $25 to $28 an hour.
- Florists who manage or own a florist business can earn $28 an hour or more.
Source: careers.govt.nz research, 2020.
Florists may progress to set up their own floristry business, or move into management roles.
Years Of Training
There are no specific requirements to become a florist as you gain skills on the job.
However, most employers prefer you to complete a qualification such as a New Zealand Certificate in Floristry (Level 2, 3 or 4).
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