Horticulture is the art and science of growing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants
Horticulture studies how plants like fruits, vegetables, spices, ornamentals, medicinals, and native plants are used by humans for food, nutrition, fiber, landscapes, and aesthetics.
As a Horticulture major you will:
- Gain foundational knowledge in plant science, ecology, environmental science, chemistry, genetics, soil science, and plant pathology
- Receive specialized training in greenhouse and field management and the production and use of edible crops and herbaceous and woody ornamentals
- Discover the connections between horticulture and real-world issues, such as sustainable production, mitigating drought and heat stresses associated with climate change, and improvements in human nutrition
Career Paths
Horticulture graduates are prepared for careers in food production, plant nurseries, community-supported agriculture (CSA), public gardens, greenhouse production, teaching, public parks, vegetable production, urban agriculture, community-based education, and research.
Here are just a few examples of what our horticulture graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Learn through hands-on experiences
Join a faculty lab and explore horticulture and plant sciences through a different perspective. Step out into the field, develop your skills, and learn first-hand from staff, graduate students, and nationally recognized faculty.
Study the cold hardiness of cranberries, the symbiotic associations between plants and microbes, help develop new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and so much more.
Build your skills outside the classroom
There are a wide variety of volunteer and internship opportunities to choose from on campus. Develop hands-on skills with opportunities at Allen Centennial Garden, the UW Arboretum, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, or one of CALS’ Agricultural Research Stations around the state.
Pursue a summer or semester internship and gain real-world experience. Horticulture students can find a variety of local internship opportunities:
Study abroad and gain a global perspective
Complement what you’re learning in class with a study abroad program. Conduct rainforest studies in Australia, study tropical horticulture in Costa Rica, take horticulture classes at the Wageningen University & Research, and more.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a horticulture major.
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore some of the horticulture-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
46%
Students who study abroad
54%
Students who participate in research
62%
Students who gain workplace-based experience
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
Moore Hall
1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1390
Want to learn more about the horticulture major?