Herbology

> Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology, with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout, where they learned how to take care of strange plants and fungi, and found out what they were used for.
>
> Harry Potter's description of the subject, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

**Herbology** was the study of magical and mundane plants and fungi, making it the wizarding equivalent to Template:Wplink. Herbology was a core class and subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and ***Castelobruxo***. Template:Class
In this class students learned to care for and utilise plants, learn about their magical properties and what they are used for. Many plants provided ingredients for ***potion***s and medicine, while others had magical effects of their own right.

Herbert Beery was the professor of this subject at Hogwarts for many years prior [1955. After he retired, Pomona Sprout took over the post prior to 1991, and later Neville Longbottom by 2008.

## Class information

> Four to a tray — there is a large supply of pots here — compost in the sacks over there — and be careful of the Venomous Tentacula, it's teething.
>
> Professor Sprout teaching second-year students Herbology, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)

Herbology was a mandatory class at Hogwarts for the first five years of a student's education. Students spent class time learning about the different varieties of magical plants that existed. The further into a student's education, the more difficult and dangerous the plants became.

In the fifth year, when students took Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations, much of the year was spent working with a variety of more dangerous plants like the Fanged Geranium, as well as revisiting the past four years of lessons. As part of their Herbology O.W.L, students had to sit a written exam, and then complete a practical exam, during which the students worked with a wide selection of plants.
Students who achieved a pass grade on their Herbology O.W.L. could move on to the advanced class, where the plants become even more dangerous. At the end of their seventh year, students prepared for their N.E.W.T.s.
Pomona Sprout was the Herbology professor at Hogwarts in the 1990s; by 2008, however, she had either been replaced by, or was working alongside Neville Longbottom, who was likewise a professor. Neville was one of her students in the past, and an exceptionally gifted Herbologist, who then went on to be the Herbology professor.

## Location and time

### Classrooms

> "Greenhouse three today, chaps!" said Professor Sprout... There was a murmur of interest. They had only ever worked in greenhouse one before — greenhouse three housed far more interesting and dangerous plants. Professor Sprout took a large key from her belt and unlocked the door. Harry caught a whiff of damp earth and fertiliser mingling with the heavy perfume of some giant, umbrella-sized flowers dangling from the ceiling.
>
> A second year Herbology lesson taking place in Greenhouse Three, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)

These classes were held in the grounds of Hogwarts, in the greenhouses. The greenhouses were located behind the castle. Classes were held in different greenhouses depending on the students' year, with more advanced and dangerous plants typically reserved for O.W.L. or N.E.W.T.-level study.

## Curriculum

### First year

> Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare ... what did Professor Sprout say? — it likes the dark and the damp —
>
> Hermione Granger regarding first-year lessons on Devil's Snare, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)

* Devil's Snare

### Second year

> We'll be repotting Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?
>
> Pomona Sprout, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

## Known equipment

Dragon-hide gloves Book of Spell.pngDragon-hide gloves worn when handling dangerous plants.Earmuffs worn by students and the professor when re-potting Mandrakes, so they could not harm students with their sound.Wand-foundable.pngWand to cast Herbology-related charms, such as the Severing Charm, Fire-Making Spell, Lumos Solem Spell or Herbivicus Charm.
## Known professors

Pomona Sprout
(pre. 1984-?)Neville Longbottom
* Mirabel Garlick's predecessor (19th century)
* Herbert Beery (?-pre 1955)

## Required textbooks

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.png*One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi* by Phyllida SporeWinogrand'sFrontAndBackCover.png*Winogrand's Wondrous Water Plants* by Selina Sapwor See this image.Flesh-Eating Trees of the World.png*Flesh-Eating Trees of the World*
## Known O.W.L.s

Fred Weasley †George WeasleyHarry PotterHermione GrangerNeville LongbottomPercy WeasleyRon WeasleyPomona Sprout (likely)
* All ***Healer***s and ***Auror***s, as an O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. at Exceeds Expectations or Outstanding was a compulsory requirement in this subject in order to apply for their relevant career training.
* Rowan Khanna

## Behind the scenes

* As revealed in Pottermore, J. K. Rowling had originally devised this class to be called "Herbalism".
* Pottermore had a feature called "The highs, lows and health hazards of Herbology", which was migrated to *Wizarding World (website)*.
* In Hogwarts Mystery, If players take Jacob's sibling to the O.W.L. through an optional side quest, they will definitely gain at least an A, even if they fail to answer every question and have the herbs and plants wilt away.

## Appearances

* *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) (First Entire Appearance) (Mentioned only)
* *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film), Chapter 8
2. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Castelobruxo" at *Wizarding World (website)*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film), Chapter 6
4. ↑ *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film)
5. ↑ *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film), Chapter 16
6. ↑ As professors of the subject, it is extremely likely that they had qualifications in this subject, in order to teach it.
7. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Hogwarts School Subjects" at *Wizarding World (website)*
8. ↑ Pottermore - The highs, lows and health hazards of Herbology

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