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RHS Level 2 Unit 1 exam course

Everything for the Unit 1 paper: Plant Science I; Plant Health; Plant Nutrition; Plant Specification. Animated lessons, drills, flashcards and model answers, written for the 2026 specification.

33 lessons83 minutes of video155 flashcardsHandouts included
Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0

The Unit 1 exam has three sections: multiple choice, structured short answers and an extended written answer. Each lesson below covers a set of assessment criteria from the specification, and ends with an exam-style written question and a marked model answer.

Topic 1: Plant Science I

Naming, plant groups, life cycles, structure, pollination, photosynthesis and water

  1. 1How plants are namedTopic 1 · Learning outcome 1 (1.1, 1.2)Free lesson
  2. 2Plant groups and identificationTopic 1 · Learning outcome 1 (1.3–1.5)
  3. 3Life cyclesTopic 1 · Learning outcome 2 (2.1–2.4)
  4. 4Roots, stems and budsTopic 1 · Learning outcome 3 (3.1–3.5)
  5. 5Leaves, flowers and inflorescencesTopic 1 · Learning outcome 3 (3.1–3.4)
  6. 6Inside the plantTopic 1 · Learning outcome 4 (4.1–4.3)
  7. 7Pollination and fertilisationTopic 1 · Learning outcome 5 (5.1–5.5)
  8. 8Photosynthesis and respirationTopic 1 · Learning outcome 6 (6.1–6.3)
  9. 9Water movement and droughtTopic 1 · Learning outcome 7 (7.1–7.6)

Topic 2: Plant Health

Abiotic factors, nutrition and health, weeds, pests, diseases, control and biosecurity

  1. 1Abiotic conditions and a changing climateTopic 2 · Learning outcome 1 (1.1, 1.2)
  2. 2Nutrition, soil management and mulchingTopic 2 · Learning outcome 2 (2.1–2.4)
  3. 3Weeds: friend or foe?Topic 2 · Learning outcome 3 (3.1–3.3)
  4. 4Controlling weedsTopic 2 · Learning outcome 3 (3.4–3.6)
  5. 5Pests and pathogensTopic 2 · Learning outcome 4 (4.1–4.7)
  6. 6Control measures and Garden Health PlansTopic 2 · Learning outcomes 4 and 6 (4.8–4.10, 6.1–6.4)
  7. 7Biosecurity and plant passportsTopic 2 · Learning outcome 5 (5.1–5.4)Free lesson

Topic 3: Plant Nutrition

Peat-free growing media, pH, nutrients, soil life, fertilisers, soils and soil health

  1. 1Peat-free bulk constituentsTopic 3 · Learning outcome 5 (5.1, 5.5)Free lesson
  2. 2More bulk constituentsTopic 3 · Learning outcome 5 (5.1, 5.2, 5.6)
  3. 3Choosing the right compostTopic 3 · Learning outcome 5 (5.3, 5.4)
  4. 4Soil pH and nutrient availabilityTopic 3 · Learning outcome 4 (4.1–4.6)
  5. 5Nutrients and deficiency symptomsTopic 3 · Learning outcome 2 (2.1–2.4)
  6. 6Soil life and the nutrient cycleTopic 3 · Learning outcome 3 (3.3, 3.4, 3.7)
  7. 7Fertilisers, climate and waterTopic 3 · Learning outcomes 2 and 3 (2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9)
  8. 8Soil types, texture and structureTopic 3 · Learning outcome 1 (1.3, 1.4, 1.6)
  9. 9Soil health and Soil Management PlansTopic 3 · Learning outcomes 1 and 2 (1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 2.5)

Topic 4: Plant Specification

Reading the site, choosing, ordering, receiving, planting and aftercare

  1. 1Reading the siteTopic 4 · Learning outcome 1 (1.1–1.5)
  2. 2Choosing the right plantTopic 4 · Learning outcome 2 (2.1–2.6)
  3. 3Ordering plant materialTopic 4 · Learning outcome 3 (3.1–3.4)
  4. 4Receiving plants on siteTopic 4 · Learning outcome 4 (4.1–4.5)
  5. 5Planting wellTopic 4 · Learning outcome 5 (5.1–5.6)Free lesson
  6. 6The first year after plantingTopic 4 · Learning outcome 6 (6.1–6.4)

Across both exams

Sustainability and the three pillars; health and safety, best practice, equality and diversity

  1. 1Sustainability: the three pillarsQualification-wide outcomes · Sustainability (spec Section 3)
  2. 2Safe, professional and inclusive practiceQualification-wide outcomes · Health and Safety, Best Practice, Equality and Diversity (spec Section 3)
2026syllabus

Which syllabus we follow

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.

We update the course whenever the specification changes.