Plant Spacing Calculator Australia: How Many Plants Fit in My Garden Bed?

Find out how many plants fit in your garden bed

Choose a plant, enter your bed size and get a plant count and a layout preview, using typical spacing for 25 vegetables, herbs, flowers and Australian natives.

Step 1: Choose your plant

Pick a plant to use its recommended spacing, or enter your own spacing below.

Or enter your own spacing (optional)

Check the plant label for its mature size. If you fill these in, they replace the plant’s values.

Step 2: Garden bed size (metres)

Works for raised beds, in-ground plots and border strips. Measure the planting area only.

Tip: a bed about 1.2 m wide lets you reach the middle from either side without stepping on the soil.

Step 3: Planting pattern

Grid planting is easiest to manage. Offset planting staggers every second row, which fits a few more plants and spreads them out more evenly.

Your planting plan

0plants fit in your bed
0m² bed area
0spacing used
0plants to buy (10% spare)

Layout preview

Planting tips

    Why plant spacing matters in Australian gardens

    Getting spacing right is one of the simplest ways to get a healthier garden. Plants set too close compete for water, nutrients and light, and the lack of airflow can encourage fungal disease. Plants set too far apart waste bed space and leave bare soil that dries out quickly in an Australian summer.

    Airflow and disease

    Room between plants helps leaves dry out, which reduces problems like powdery mildew, especially in humid coastal areas.

    Light

    Well-spaced plants get more even sunlight. Staggered rows can spread plants out more evenly than straight rows.

    Roots and water

    Crowded roots compete for water, which matters most in sandy soils and hot, dry weather.

    Easy access

    Good spacing leaves room to inspect leaves, pick produce and spot pests early.

    Quick reference: spacing for common vegetables and herbs

    Plant Between plants Between rows Typical planting time* Sun
    Tomato 60 cm 90 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Zucchini 90 cm 120 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Capsicum 45 cm 60 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Lettuce 30 cm 30 cm Autumn–Spring Part shade
    Bush beans 10 cm 45 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Cucumber 60 cm 90 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Silverbeet 30 cm 45 cm Most of the year Full sun to part shade
    Broccoli 45 cm 60 cm Autumn–Winter Full sun
    Pumpkin 120 cm 180 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Spinach 15 cm 30 cm Autumn–Spring Part shade
    Basil 30 cm 30 cm Spring–Summer Full sun
    Parsley 20 cm 30 cm Most of the year Full sun to part shade

    *Planting times vary with your climate zone. Check seed packets and local guides. Spacings are typical figures; always follow the label for your variety.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I calculate how many plants fit in a garden bed?

    Divide the bed length by the spacing between plants, and the bed width by the spacing between rows, then multiply the two whole numbers. For example, a 3 m × 1.2 m bed of tomatoes at 60 cm between plants and 90 cm between rows fits 5 plants along the length and 1 row across, so 5 plants. The calculator above does this for you.

    What is the best plant spacing for a raised garden bed?

    It depends on the plant. As a rough guide, leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach need 15 to 30 cm, herbs like basil and parsley 20 to 30 cm, tomatoes and capsicum 45 to 60 cm, and pumpkins and zucchini 90 to 120 cm. Rich, well-watered raised beds can sometimes handle slightly tighter spacing, but airflow still matters.

    What is offset (triangular) planting?

    Offset planting shifts every second row by half a plant space, so plants sit in a staggered pattern instead of straight columns. It spreads plants out more evenly and can fit a few more plants into the same area than a straight grid. Straight rows are simpler for crops you want to weed, hill or harvest in lines.

    Can I plant closer together to suppress weeds?

    Slightly closer spacing can help leaves shade the soil sooner, which reduces weeds and evaporation. Don’t overdo it, as crowded plants are more prone to disease and give smaller harvests. Mulching between plants is a more reliable way to control weeds.

    How far apart should Australian native plants be?

    Native spacing varies a lot. Low groundcovers such as lomandra suit about 60 cm, medium shrubs like grevillea and kangaroo paw 60 to 150 cm, and larger shrubs such as bottlebrush 2 m or more for a screen. Always check the mature width on the plant label, since overcrowded natives can struggle.

    Brought to you by Garden Yard Australia, your Australian garden and outdoor living store.
    Spacing figures are general guides. Always check the label for your plant or variety.