Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter, a family-owned and operated nursery in Oviedo, Florida, is hiring a Growing & Restocking Associate. This is a full-time, non-exempt role of 30 or more hours a week, with weekday and occasional weekend shifts, and it suits someone who loves plants and enjoys outdoor work in all weathers. As Growing & Restocking Associate, you’ll care for plants through regular watering, fertilising, pruning, trimming, and general upkeep; watch plant health and spot pests, disease, and stress early; help with transplanting, spacing, staking, and other growing tasks; keep the growing and outdoor areas clean and organised; operate and maintain hoses, irrigation systems, tools, and nursery equipment; follow safety protocols for chemicals, fertilisers, and tools; keep the growing manager informed about plant health, stock needs, and priorities; help with seasonal displays and plant staging; and support customer service when needed. The position requires the ability to lift 50 pounds or more regularly, and two years of plant care or horticulture experience is preferred.
About Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter — Family Owned in Oviedo
Business: Family owned and operated nursery
Location: Oviedo, Florida
Atmosphere: A unique, fun, and educational place to work
Team: Growing and Restocking team focused on plant quality and customer satisfaction
Pay & Benefits: Competitive, commensurate wages with health, vision, and dental cover, 401(k), paid time off, and tuition reimbursement
Growing & Restocking Associate Role — Plant Health, Care & Presentation
Department: Growing & Restocking
Primary Focus: Watering, fertilising, pruning, plant health, nursery presentation
Scope: Outdoor growing areas, displays, and nursery upkeep
Mission: Helping plants thrive so customers enjoy a well-kept nursery
Growing & Restocking Associate Position Overview
The Growing & Restocking Associate role at Lukas Nursery is about the everyday care that keeps plants healthy and presentable. Plants look good for customers because someone has been paying attention to them, and this job is that attention. Your day centres on the basics done well. You’ll water and fertilise plants on schedule, prune and trim them to keep their shape, and handle the general maintenance that keeps the growing areas in shape. Plant health is where careful observation pays off. You’ll look over plants regularly and notice early signs of pests, disease, or stress, then pass those observations to the growing manager so that problems are dealt with quickly. Growing tasks such as transplanting, spacing, and staking are part of the routine, and they need steady hands and a good eye for what each plant needs. Tools and equipment are used every day, from hoses and irrigation systems to nursery machinery. You’ll operate and maintain them properly and follow the safety rules for chemicals, fertilisers, and tools, which protects both you and the plants. Communication runs through the job. Keeping the growing manager informed about plant health, stock needs, and maintenance priorities helps the whole team plan well. Presentation matters too: you’ll help set up seasonal displays and plant staging, and you’ll keep the outdoor areas clean and organised. When customers need help, you’ll support them with the same friendliness that defines the nursery. The work is physical and often outdoors, in the sun, rain, and heat, so it suits someone who is dependable and comfortable working both alone and as part of a team.
As Growing & Restocking Associate, you’ll build strong practical knowledge of plant care, from watering and fertilising to pruning and pest awareness, while developing the observation and teamwork skills that good nursery work depends on. The ideal candidate has at least two years of experience in plant care, horticulture, or a related field, although this is preferred rather than required. Strong knowledge of plant maintenance practices is important, along with excellent attention to detail and an eye for spotting plant health issues. The ability to lift 50 pounds or more regularly and to work outdoors in varying conditions is essential. Good communication, teamwork, and self-motivation will help you thrive, and a professional, positive attitude with both colleagues and customers is expected. For plant lovers in Oviedo and Central Florida who want a hands-on job in a family-owned nursery with an educational, friendly atmosphere, this role offers a rewarding place to grow.
Why This Role Matters: As Growing & Restocking Associate at Lukas Nursery, you help plants thrive from the first watering to the final display, catch plant health problems early, keep customers happy with a well-kept nursery, work in a family-owned business with an educational atmosphere, and build hands-on horticulture experience in Central Florida.
Key Responsibilities & Plant Care Duties
Plant Care & Maintenance
- Water plants on a regular schedule
- Fertilise plants according to nursery practice
- Prune and trim plants to maintain their shape
- Carry out general plant maintenance
- Keep plants in good condition between sales
- Follow care routines for each plant type
Plant Health Monitoring
- Monitor plant health across the nursery
- Identify pests, disease, and signs of stress
- Report plant health concerns to the growing manager
- Follow up on treatment and recovery
- Keep observations clear and consistent
- Spot problems early to protect stock
Growing Tasks
- Assist with transplanting plants
- Help with spacing and staking
- Support planting and potting work
- Assist with growing tasks across the nursery
- Prepare plants for sale and display
- Keep growing beds and containers in order
Equipment & Safety
- Operate and maintain hoses and irrigation systems
- Use nursery tools and equipment correctly
- Follow safety protocols for chemicals and fertilisers
- Handle tools safely and maintain them in good order
- Report equipment faults promptly
- Wear protective gear as required
Display, Upkeep & Customer Support
- Assist with seasonal displays and plant staging
- Keep the nursery and outdoor areas clean and organised
- Support general nursery upkeep
- Help customers when needed
- Share updates on stock and inventory needs
- Keep the nursery presentable for visitors
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience
- Minimum of 2 years in plant care, horticulture, or a related field
- Strong knowledge of watering, pruning, and fertilising practice
Physical & Working Conditions
- Ability to lift 50+ lbs regularly
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Ability to work weekdays and occasional weekends
Personal Skills
- Excellent attention to detail and observation
- Ability to identify plant health issues
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work alone or with others
- Professional and positive attitude with team members and customers
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward Growing Lead or Nursery Supervisor roles
- Opportunity to specialise in plant health or propagation
- Growth within a family-owned nursery business
- Exposure to seasonal display and retail presentation
Learning & Development
- Tuition reimbursement
- Hands-on plant care and horticulture experience
- Learning from an experienced growing manager
- Educational work atmosphere with varied tasks
Benefits & Compensation
- Competitive, commensurate wages
- Health insurance, vision, and dental cover
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement and more
About Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter — Growing Plants and Learning
Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter is a family-owned and operated business in Oviedo, Florida. Its nursery and butterfly encounter offer an educational, fun, and varied work atmosphere, and the team takes pride in the quality and appearance of its plants. The business values dependable staff who care about plants and who contribute to customer satisfaction.
Career Excellence in Nursery Care: Join a family-owned nursery in Oviedo, care for plants through watering, pruning, and fertilising, catch plant health issues early, help create beautiful displays, and build hands-on horticulture experience in Florida.
Who Should Apply?
- Horticulture Students: Looking for hands-on plant experience
- Experienced Gardeners: Seeking a nursery role in Central Florida
- Landscape Workers: Moving into plant production
- Garden Centre Staff: Interested in growing and display work
- Plant Enthusiasts: Who enjoy outdoor, physical work
- Oviedo and Orlando Area Residents: Seeking a local, family-owned employer
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