What does a Florist do?

Florists work closely with clients to understand their vision for an arrangement or event decor. They then apply their artistic skills and understanding of plant and floral arrangements to create arrangements and decor to meet or exceed customer expectations. Well-trained and talented Florists can be important additions to businesses such as floral shops, event venues and event planning teams.

Florist skills and qualifications

Successful Florists bring a balance of creative talent and administrative skills to your position. The right candidate has the artistic ability to bring gorgeous floral designs to life and the attention to detail to ensure that each arrangement is within budget and arrives at the right location on time for the client. Generally, Florist positions require:

• An understanding of botany and how various plants may work when arranged together

• Knowledge of plant and flower traditions, specifically what various options might mean when included in a display or gift arrangement

• Some basic structural design skills to aid in creating large floral arrangements for wedding or party venues

• Communication skills required to understand what clients want and appropriately convey the options that might work for them

• Customer service skills to support taking and managing orders and ensuring customers have a good experience

• Time management and planning skills, particularly when working on larger projects for weddings or events

Florist experience requirements

Experience requirements for Florist jobs vary depending on the size and type of the business and the exact nature of the position. A grocery store hiring someone for the floral department may be willing to train someone in creating arrangements. In such a case, employers may want to include requirements such as past customer service work and creative skills in a Florist job posting.

An event venue or event agency that needs Florists to create elaborate designs for weddings, corporate conferences or other special events may want to consider candidates with specific botany and floral experience. That might mean listing requirements for past work in florist shops or on event decor teams. 

Florist education and training requirements

Formal education may not be required to support successful work as a Florist. However, employers should consider the overall training and background they want in candidates. When hiring for high-level floral design work, you may want to look for candidates who have horticultural or floricultural training. This can come in the form of associate degrees, participation in hands-on workshops or professional certifications. For example, the American Institute of Floral Designers offers a Certified Floral Designer credential. 

Florist salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Florist is $16.54 per hour. The location and size of a business, the experience and talent of a Florist and the types of arrangements or projects involved can all impact the expected pay for such positions.  

Job description samples for similar positions

If this is not the type of job description that meets your needs, we have plenty of other options available. Check out some of the related job descriptions below, or search our database of job description samples. 

• Gardener

• Event Coordinator

• Interior Designer

Florist job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Florist?

A good Florist has an understanding of visual design and is able to apply those ideas when arranging flowers and greenery. They also have practical skills and knowledge, including basic accounting and math skills and critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Florists must be able to create designs that match a client’s wants and needs and may also be called on to care for and pack the design to ensure it arrives to the recipient in good order.

What’s the difference between a Florist and a Gardener?

A Gardener cares for plants and flowers as they are growing. That might include designing garden beds, planting and raising plants and harvesting flowers and fruit as necessary. A Florist is a customer who benefits from a Gardener’s work. The Florist receives cut flowers and plants and uses them in arrangements.

Are there different types of Florists?

Yes, there are different types and levels of Florists. Retail florists offer varying levels of customization and options, ranging from the basics available in a grocery store to the unlimited creation options offered by a full-service local retail shop. Floral designers are a type of florist who work on larger projects, such as the entire floral-related decor for a wedding ceremony or reception.