All worksheets / Plant Science
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Plant Science
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Plant Science explores how plants grow, reproduce, and nourish the planet. You will study photosynthesis, soil nutrients, and pests, then choose one of three in-depth specializations: agronomy (field crops), horticulture (gardens and orchards), or field botany (wild plants). Each option requires planting and monitoring real crops or specimens.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Plant Anatomy, Photosynthesis & Physiology
- Soil Chemistry, Nutrients & Fertility
- Plant Propagation & Seed Germination
- Crop Cultivation & Agricultural Science
8Printable Pages
9Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Plant Science Requirements
Every requirement for the Plant Science merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Parts of a Flowering Plant
Make a drawing and identify five or more parts of a flowering plant. Tell what each part does.
2Photosynthesis and Why It Matters
Explain photosynthesis and tell why this process is important. Tell at least five ways that humans depend on plants.
3Pollinators and Plant Life
Explain how honeybees and other pollinating insects are important to plant life.
4What Plants Need, and What Harms Them
Explain how water, light, air, temperature, and pests affect plants. Describe the nature and function of soil and explain its importance. Tell about the texture, structure, and composition of fertile soil. Tell how soil may be improved.
5Propagation and Growing a Plant
Tell how to propagate plants by seeds, roots, cuttings, tubers, and grafting. Grow a plant by ONE of these methods.
6Native and Cultivated Plants Near You
List by common name at least 10 native plants and 10 cultivated plants that grow near your home. List five invasive non-native plants in your area and tell how they may be harmful. Tell how the spread of invasive plants may be avoided or controlled in ways that are not damaging to humans, wildlife, and the environment.
7Option Selection
Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
- b Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
8Complete Your Chosen Option
Choose ONE of the following options and complete each requirement:
- Option A—Agronomy. Do ALL of the following
- (5)(a) Corn
- (5)(b) Cotton
- (5)(c) Forage Crops
- (5)(d) Small Grains
- (5)(e) Oil Crops
- Option B—Horticulture. Do ALL of the following
- a Explain the difference between vegetative and sexual propagation methods, and tell some horticultural advantages of each. Grow a plant from a stem or root cutting or graft.
- b Transplant 12 seedlings or rooted cuttings to larger containers and grow them for at least one month.
- c Demonstrate good pruning techniques and tell why pruning is important.
- d After obtaining permission, plant a tree or shrub properly in an appropriate site.
- a Explain the importance of good landscape design and selection of plants that are suitable for particular sites and conditions.
- b Tell why it is important to know how big a plant will grow.
- c Tell why slower-growing landscape plants are sometimes a better choice than faster-growing varieties.
- (5)(a) Bedding Plants
- (5)(b) Fruit, Berry, and Nut Crops
- (5)(c) Woody Ornamentals
- (5)(d) Home Gardening
- Option C—Field Botany. Do ALL of the following
- a Determine which species of plants are the largest and which are the most abundant. Note whether they cast shade on other plants.
- b Using information from maps, textbooks, or the internet, describe the environmental factors that may influence the presence of plants on your site, including latitude, climate, air and soil temperature, soil type and pH, geology, hydrology, and topography.
- c Record any differences in the types of plants you see at the edge of a forest, near water, in burned areas, or near a road or railroad.
- a Tree Inventory
- b Transect Study
- a Identify each tree within 10 feet of the transect line.
- b Measure the diameter of each tree at 4½ feet above the ground, and map and list each tree.
- c Nested Plot
- a Identify, measure, and map each tree in a 100-by-100-foot plot. (Measure the diameter of each tree larger than 3 inches in diameter at 4½ feet above the ground.)
- b Identify and count all trees and shrubs in a 10-by-10-foot plot within each of the larger areas.
- c Identify and count all broad-leaved plants (trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants) all plants (wildflowers, ferns, grasses, mosses, etc.) of a 4-by-4-foot plot within the 10-by-10-foot plot. Note: If individual plants like ferns, grasses and mosses cannot be clearly distinguished, make a reasonable estimate of area (square inches of cover) for each species and record that as an estimate within the 4 x 4 subplot.
- d Herbarium Visit
- e Plant Conservation Organization Visit
9Leave No Trace and the Outdoor Code
Discuss the importance of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code as they relate to plant science. Explain how you have followed the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while in natural areas during field observation, specimen collection, and identification.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Plant Science requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/plant-science/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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