Plant spacing

Plant spacing refers to the distance that should be kept between individual plants when planting or sowing. It depends on the growth habit, the plant's final size and its nutrient requirements. The right plant spacing helps plants develop healthily, get enough light, and avoids mould or competition for nutrients.

Why plant spacing matters

When plants stand too close together, they compete for water, light and nutrients. The foliage also dries more slowly after rain or watering, which encourages fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or grey mould. If plants are spaced too far apart, on the other hand, soil area goes unused and moisture evaporates more quickly.

Guidelines and orientation

The optimal plant spacing depends heavily on the plant species. As a rough guide, the following spacings apply:

• Vegetables: Lettuce 25–30 cm, cabbage 40–60 cm, tomatoes 50–70 cm
• Flowers and perennials: Low-growing species 20–30 cm, larger perennials 40–60 cm
• Woody plants: Shrubs 80–150 cm, trees several metres depending on growth habit

For row sowing, a distinction is often made between row spacing and in-row plant spacing. These figures are usually given on seed packets and should be followed as closely as possible.

Practical tips

• When planting, mark out even spacings using a folding rule or a dibber.
• For densely growing crops such as radish or carrots, thinning is important to achieve the recommended spacing.
• In companion planting, spacing may vary somewhat, as different species can benefit one another.

Well-planned plant spacing not only makes care and harvesting easier but also improves air circulation in the bed – the best way to prevent many plant diseases.