Planting Spacing Calculator

Please fill in the required fields with values greater than 0.
–bed area (sq ft)
–plants needed
–plants per sq ft
–with 10% spare plants

Estimate only. Check the plant label for the spacing it needs when fully grown.

How to use this calculator

Enter the bed length and width and the spacing between plants in inches. Choose a square or staggered layout and press Calculate to see how many plants fit.

The formula

Square grid: plants = area × 144 ÷ spacing²
Staggered: plants = area × 144 ÷ (spacing² × 0.866)

Example: A bed 10 ft × 4 ft (40 sq ft) with plants 12 in apart fits 40 plants in a square grid, or 47 plants in a staggered layout.

How to plan plant spacing for a healthy bed

The calculator tells you how many plants fit in a bed at a given spacing. Spacing means the distance from the center of one plant to the center of the next. Use the spacing for the plant’s full mature width, as listed on the label or seed packet, not its size in the pot.

Square grid or staggered

A square grid lines plants up in neat rows and columns. It is easy to lay out and works well for vegetables and formal edging. A staggered layout offsets each row, so plants form triangles. It fills the bed faster and looks more natural. For the 10 ft by 4 ft bed in the example above, 12-inch spacing fits 40 plants in a grid or 47 staggered. With 10 percent spare, that becomes 44 or 52.

A larger spacing example

Perennials are often spaced about 18 inches apart. An 8 ft by 3 ft bed covers 24 square feet. In a square grid, that is 24 × 144 ÷ 324, or about 11 plants. Staggered, it is about 13 plants. Wider spacing means fewer plants, so the cost drops quickly as spacing grows.

Factors that change spacing

  • Mature size: The most important factor. Space for how wide the plant will be in two to three years.
  • Budget and patience: Wider spacing costs less but leaves gaps for a season or two. Mulch fills them in.
  • Air flow: Plants prone to mildew, such as some phlox and squash, do better with more room.
  • Growing method: Raised beds with rich soil can often handle slightly closer spacing for vegetables.

Laying out the bed

  • Set the first row about half the spacing in from the edge so plants do not hang over the border.
  • Place all plants in their pots first, then step back and adjust before you dig.
  • Use a stick cut to your spacing as a quick measuring guide.
  • For staggered rows, start every other row half a spacing in from the end.

Common mistakes

  • Spacing by the size of the nursery pot, then crowding the bed in a year.
  • Mixing up inches and feet when entering spacing.
  • Forgetting that paths and stepping stones take up area.
  • Buying the exact number with no spares to replace losses.

Before you shop, check whether plants come in flats or packs. Buying full flats is often cheaper than single pots for ground covers and annuals.

Frequently asked questions

How many plants per square foot?
Divide 144 by the spacing in inches squared. Plants 12 inches apart give 1 plant per square foot.
What is staggered planting?
Rows are offset so plants sit between the plants in the next row. It fits about 15 percent more plants in the same bed.
How far apart should I plant vegetables?
It depends on the crop, from 3 inches for carrots to 24 inches or more for tomatoes. Check the seed packet.
Should I plant closer than the label says?
Close spacing fills the bed faster but plants compete for light and water, so follow the label for best results.
How many extra plants should I buy?
Buy about 10 percent extra to replace any that fail.
How far apart should shrubs be planted?
Space shrubs about as far apart as their mature width. A shrub that grows 4 feet wide should be about 4 feet from the next one, center to center. For a dense hedge, many gardeners plant a little closer, at about two thirds of the mature width. Check the plant tag for its expected spread.
How do I space ground cover plants?
Ground covers are often planted 6 to 18 inches apart, depending on how fast they spread. Closer spacing fills in within a season but costs more. Wider spacing may take two or three years to close. A staggered layout helps ground covers knit together evenly and leaves fewer bare spots.
How far from a house should I plant?
Plant shrubs at least half their mature width away from walls, plus a little extra for air flow and maintenance access. A shrub that grows 6 feet wide should sit about 3 to 4 feet from the house. This keeps branches off siding and lets you reach windows and foundations.