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Starting a Home-Based Nursery Business

Start Your Own Home-Based Nursery Business

Learn to grow, propagate, and sell plants from home. This practical course covers everything needed to launch a small nursery operation.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
Enquire now
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
33
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Starting a Home-Based Nursery Business

Start Your Own Home-Based Nursery Business

Learn to grow, propagate, and sell plants from home. This practical course covers everything needed to launch a small nursery operation.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
33
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

~200 Hours Of Practical Nursery And Business Content

ICOES And CPD Accredited, With A Certificate Of Achievement On Completion

No Exams, Fully Self-Paced, With 6 Months Access

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

Home-Based Nursery OperatorGrows and sells plants from a residential property, managing stock, propagation, and direct sales to customers.
Plant Propagation TechnicianSpecialises in reproducing plants through cuttings, seeds, and division to supply nurseries or garden centres.
Native Plant GrowerCultivates indigenous species for conservation projects, landscapers, councils, or direct retail.
Small-Scale Nursery AssistantSupports day-to-day nursery operations including potting, watering, labelling, and customer service.
Seedling SpecialistProduces seedlings for home gardeners, market gardens, or community growing projects.
Garden Centre SupplierGrows plants at home and supplies stock to local garden centres or farmers markets on a wholesale basis.
Greenhouse Plant ManagerOversees plant health, climate management, and production schedules within a greenhouse environment.
Micro-Nursery Business OwnerOperates an independent plant business, handling growing, marketing, pricing, and customer relationships.
Plant Wholesale AssistantAssists with bulk plant orders, stock inventory, and logistics for wholesale nursery operations.

Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

33 Units · 32 Core, 1 Electives

Core Units · 32 units
  • Topic 1Plant Identification and Culture
  • Topic 2Plant Propagation
  • Topic 3Soils and Nutrition
  • Topic 4Seed Propagation and Nursery Business
  • Topic 5Cutting Propagation
  • Topic 6Pest and Disease
  • Topic 7Introduction to Herb Culture
  • Topic 8Using Herbs
  • Topic 9The Mints (Lamiaceae)
  • Topic 10The Daises (Asteraceae)
  • Topic 11The Parsley Family (Apiaceae)
  • Topic 12The Onion Group
  • Topic 13Other Herbs
  • Topic 14Pests & Diseases (Herbs)
  • Topic 15Landscaping
  • Topic 16Herb Farming I
  • Topic 17Herb Farming II
  • Topic 18Herb Farming III
  • Topic 19Introduction to Lavender
  • Topic 20Soils, Fertilisers and Nutrition for Lavender
  • Topic 21Cultural Techniques for Lavender Growing
  • Topic 22Lavender Propagation
  • Topic 23Commercial Alternatives
  • Topic 24Plant Variety Selection and Breeding
  • Topic 25Building Plant Knowledge
  • Topic 26Harvesting, Postharvest Treatment and Storage
  • Topic 27Processing and Making Lavender Products
  • Topic 28Marketing Lavender Produce
  • Topic 29Starting Up & Business Types and Structures
  • Topic 30Preparing your Business Plan
  • Topic 31Introduction to Accounting & Bookkeeping
  • Topic 32Certificate in Xero
Elective Units · 1 units
  • Topic 1Certificate in Digital Marketing with AI
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Check with your local council about any zoning or registration rules for home-based businesses before setting up.

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Qualification

Courses are accredited by ICOES, the CPD Standards Office, and The Career Academy is a member of the International Approval & Recognition Council (IARC). Upon completion, you receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Unlimited Tutor Support

Access experienced tutors via phone and email during business hours for unlimited support throughout your learning journey.

100% Online, Study at Your Own Pace

Study 100% online whenever suits you, with 6 months access and approximately 200 hours of content. No exams ever.

Career Centre Access

Includes access to job opportunities, CV templates, a free personalised CV review, interview preparation tips, and a five-step job success process.

Free Student ID Card

Receive a virtual Student ID card giving access to over 150,000 discounts on food, entertainment, travel and more in New Zealand and around the world.

FREE Access to CCH eBook Library

Get access to over 50 titles to enhance your learning and knowledge upon enrolment.

SEEK Pass Verified Credential

Upon completion, verify your qualification from The Career Academy with SEEK Pass to share on SEEK and stand out to employers as a qualified, job-ready candidate.

Career Success Bundle Upgrade Available

Optional upgrade includes expert career coaching, a personalised career plan, LinkedIn profile review, and proven strategies for job success.

Free bonus courses included

Certificate in Digital Marketing with AI

Optional module covering digital marketing using AI tools, included as part of the Start…

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Click 'Enrol Now'
2
Choose payment option (upfront or payment plan)
3
Complete enrolment form
4
Receive instant access to the course and Career Centre
Why Students Choose The

What Students Say

★★★★★

“Hiromi found the perfect work-life balance after enrolling in The Career Academy's Certificate in Bookkeeping. As a busy mum, the flexibility of online study allowed her to pursue her dream career while caring for her family. Upon completing her course, she secured a role with The Back Office Company and began her journey in a new profession.”

HHiromi
★★★★★

“Cameron Young transformed his passion for dogs into a successful mobile dog grooming service. With everything from a full grooming table to a hydro-bath, he brings the salon directly to his client's homes. Cameron's journey started with The Career Academy's Diploma in Dog Grooming, which equipped him with the skills and confidence to launch his business.”

CYCameron Young
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no formal entry requirements. The course is designed for beginners and those with an existing interest in plants or gardening. Anyone keen to start a home-based nursery business can enrol.
A weekly payment plan may be available to help spread the cost. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm current pricing and payment options.
Students have six months of access and the course contains approximately 200 hours of content. Because study is fully self-paced, you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule.
The course is 100% online and self-paced, with no fixed class times and no exams. Unlimited tutor support is available by phone and email during business hours throughout your study.
No work placement is included in this course. The content is practical and business-focused, designed to be applied directly within a home-based nursery setting.
On completion, students receive a Certificate of Achievement. The course is endorsed by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, and credentials can be verified via SEEK Pass to share with employers. This course is not a government-accredited or nationally recognised qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
As a professional development course, credit toward formal qualifications is arranged through the provider's RPL or credit process. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm what it may count toward and how to apply.
This course provides a solid foundation in both horticulture and small business operation. Students interested in deeper study can explore horticultural or business qualifications at a higher level. Submit a Get Course enquiry to find out what pathways The Career Academy NZ recommends.
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About This Course

Starting a Home-Based Nursery Business

This course covers the essentials of running a profitable home-based nursery. Students learn plant propagation, growing techniques, stock management, and the business fundamentals needed to sell plants at a small scale. The content spans approximately 200 hours and is delivered by The Career Academy NZ entirely online.

The course suits people who want to turn a passion for plants into a viable home business. It also works well for existing gardeners looking to formalise their knowledge or explore a side income through plant sales. No prior experience is required to enrol.

Study is fully self-paced with six months of access. There are no exams. Unlimited tutor support is available by phone and email during business hours, so students can get guidance as questions come up throughout the course.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Education & Teaching

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026