Floriculture vs. Horticulture — What's the Difference?

Floriculture refers specifically to the branch of horticulture dedicated to growing flowering and ornamental plants, usually for gardens, floral industry, or as house plants. Horticulture, on the other hand, is a broader field that includes the cultivation, processing, and sale of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds, and non-food crops like ornamental plants, grass turf, and more.

Diving deeper into Floriculture, it primarily focuses on plant breeding, propagation, and cultivation to achieve optimal growth and flowering. The products from floriculture, such as cut flowers, potted plants, and annual seedlings, are often used for decorative and aesthetic purposes. In contrast, Horticulture spans a variety of plants and their respective industries, from fruit orchards to vegetable farming.

An interesting distinction between Floriculture and Horticulture is their market orientation. While floriculture products are largely destined for decorative use in events, homes, and public spaces, horticultural products, especially fruits and vegetables, serve as a primary food source and can also have medicinal or aesthetic uses.

When looking at the study or occupation in these fields, a person specializing in Floriculture might work in a nursery, botanical garden, or the floral industry, focusing on breeding new varieties or improving cultivation techniques. In contrast, someone in Horticulture might be involved in agricultural extensions, landscape design, fruit or vegetable production, or even plant research and development.