There is much to be improved in planting design teaching in architectural school. This paper discusses teaching objectives, teaching programs and contents, teaching methods of the planting design course of 2012 spring semester in South China University of Technology. It shows that with the limited course hours, it is necessary to combine theoretical teaching and on-the-spot practice, select necessary basic theoretical knowledge, set out reasonable objectives of plant identification, deliver effective methods of plant identification, establish appropriate coursework requirements, be supplemented with visual approaches to assist memory, and have a suitable ratio between students and teachers.