Short animated lessons, hands-on drills, plant-name flashcards and model answers, built around how the written exam is actually marked.
Each lesson takes about 15 minutes and covers one part of the syllabus, from watching to writing an exam-standard answer.
A 2-minute animated video with calm narration. Every point builds on screen as it's explained.
Quick quiz questions and sorting drills, with the reason behind every answer.
Flashcards drill full botanical names, grouped the way exam questions ask for them.
Answer a real-style written question, then compare yours with a marked model answer.
Orthodox or recalcitrant? Examiners say candidates mix these up every year. See how we make it stick.
The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development is assessed in two exams. Each course covers one exam in full.
All 61 lessons, every handout, and all 10 practice papers: health & safety, sustainability and exam technique across both exams.
Ten full practice papers, five for each unit, in the real format: 120 minutes, Sections A, B and C, 100 marks. Section A marks itself; for Sections B and C you tick the mark scheme and compare your answer with a model one. Retake any paper as often as you like for 12 months.
Studying at a college? The practice tests work on their own. Buying a unit course? Add them at checkout for £19.
Examiners' reports say the same thing every year: candidates write down everything they know instead of answering the question. Every HortPass lesson ends with a written question, a marked model answer and a weak answer to learn from.
Screens are great for learning; paper is great for revising. Every lesson comes with a printable sheet.
| Orthodox | Tolerate drying and cold storage |
| Recalcitrant | Killed by drying; sow fresh |
| Washing | Removes fleshy inhibitors |
A printable sheet for every lesson, most on a single page: key points, the summary table and the plant names, ready to pin up or file.
Cut-out cards for every name in the course, grouped by topic: plants, pests, diseases and key facts.
Command words, mark schemes and Section C planning on a single page.
Written for the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development, qualification specification v8 (15 April 2026), for exams from September 2026.
Includes the November 2025 update to Topic 8: biodiversity policies and legislation, including the devolved nations. We update the course whenever the specification changes.
No. HortPass is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the Royal Horticultural Society. You still register for and sit your exams through an RHS-approved centre.
The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development, qualification specification v8 (15 April 2026), for exams from September 2026, including the November 2025 update to biodiversity policies and legislation.
The certificate is awarded when you pass both the Unit 1 and Unit 2 exams, so most learners take both. The complete course costs £99 for both units and all 10 practice tests (£147 bought separately). If you start with one unit, you can upgrade later and still pay £99 in total.
Ten full practice papers, five per unit, in the real exam format: 120 minutes, Sections A, B and C, 100 marks. Section A marks itself; you mark Sections B and C against the mark scheme and model answers. Retake them as often as you like for 12 months. They cost £29 on their own, £19 added to a unit course, and are included in the complete course.
12 months from purchase, long enough to cover a resit.
Any modern phone, tablet or computer. Handouts are PDF files you can print at home.
No. Every question and model answer is written by us, in the style of the exam. RHS past papers remain the property of the RHS.
You can cancel within 14 days. Because the course is digital content, the right to cancel ends once you start accessing lessons, and we ask you to confirm this at checkout. See our refund policy for details.
No card needed. See how it works, then choose your course.
