Plant Spacing Calculator
Work out how many plants a bed needs from its size and your plant and row spacing, for a square grid or a denser triangular layout. Calculates in your browser.
Plants needed
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Show the math
Plants fit along each side at the chosen spacing, with one at the start:
per row = ⌊length ÷ plant spacing⌋ + 1
rows = ⌊width ÷ row spacing⌋ + 1
A triangular (offset) layout staggers each row, packing in roughly 15% more plants for the same spacing, good for ground cover. All math runs locally in your browser.
What this does
A plant spacing calculator works out how many plants a bed needs from its size and your plant and row spacing, for a square grid or a denser triangular layout.
How to use it
- Enter the bed length and width.
- Set the plant and row spacing.
- Choose square or triangular layout.
- Read the number of plants.
How it works
Plants are fitted along the length and width at your spacing. Triangular spacing offsets every other row, packing in about 15% more.
plants ≈ (length ÷ spacing) × (width ÷ spacing)
Understanding your result
The count assumes even spacing across the whole bed; a triangular, offset layout fits roughly 15 percent more plants in the same area than a square grid. Use the spacing for the plants mature size rather than the seedling, since crowding later reduces airflow and yields.
Example
A 4×8 ft bed at 12-inch spacing holds about 45 plants in a square grid.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
What is triangular spacing?
Offsetting every other row so plants sit in the gaps packs in about 15% more plants at the same spacing, handy for ground covers and intensive beds.
How is the count worked out?
It fits plants along the length and width at your spacing, adding one for the plant at the start of each run, then multiplies rows by plants per row.
Should I round the bed size down?
Use the real planting area. Leave room at the edges if mature plants will spread, or reduce the spacing to fill in faster.
Is anything stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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