Curator of horticulture
Also known as: conservation horticulturist, curator & horticulturist, garden curator, horticulture curator, curator and horticulturist, curator of botany
About this occupation
Curators of horticulture develop and maintain the botanical collections, exhibits and landscapes of a botanical garden.
A specialisation of botanist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- advise on acquisitions
- identify plants characteristics
- conduct workplace audits
- collection management software
- manage operational budgets
- advertising techniques
- biology
- manage contracts
- horticultural design
- manage ground maintenance
- ecology
- botany
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Landscape Architects (O*NET 17-1012.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
- Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
- Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
- Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
- Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
- Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination
US median pay: US$79,870 a year (2025), 19,600 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.2)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.0)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.6)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.5)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Architectural and Civil Drafters
- Civil Engineers
- Sustainability Specialists
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Construction Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.