Plant Spacing Calculator
Determine how many plants fit in your garden bed with proper spacing. Choose grid or triangular layout, enter your bed dimensions and desired spacing, and get an exact plant count with cost estimate.
Common Plant Spacing Guidelines
Small annuals like petunias and marigolds: 8 to 12 inches apart. Medium perennials such as daylilies and hostas: 18 to 24 inches. Large shrubs like hydrangeas: 36 to 60 inches. Hedge plants depend on the desired density: for a tight privacy hedge, plant at 75 percent of the mature spread width. For a looser, natural look, space at 100 percent of mature spread. Always check the plant tag or nursery recommendation for the specific cultivar you are planting, as sizes vary widely even within the same species.
Spacing Tips for Better Results
Triangular spacing creates denser, more natural-looking coverage and is preferred for ground covers and mass plantings. Grid spacing is easier to lay out and works well for vegetable gardens and formal designs. To lay out triangular spacing, run a string line for the first row, then offset the second row by half the spacing distance. Use a stick cut to your spacing length as a quick measuring tool. When planting on slopes, tighten the spacing by 20 percent to account for erosion and runoff exposure before plants establish root systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is triangular vs grid spacing?
Grid spacing places plants in straight rows and columns. Triangular spacing offsets every other row by half the spacing distance, fitting about 15 percent more plants in the same area for fuller coverage.
How far apart should I plant ground cover?
Most ground covers are spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. Faster-spreading varieties like creeping thyme can go 12 inches. Slower growers like pachysandra should be 6 inches for quicker fill.
Does plant spacing include the plant size?
Yes. Spacing is measured center to center. A plant listed as 18-inch spacing means each plant center should be 18 inches from the next, accounting for the mature spread of each plant.