Plant Estimator

How many plants do I need per square foot?

The number of plants per square foot depends on mature plant size:

• Small plants (4-6" spacing): 4-9 plants per sq ft
• Medium plants (12" spacing): 1 plant per sq ft
• Large plants (18-24" spacing): 0.25-0.5 plants per sq ft
• Ground cover (6-12" spacing): 1-4 plants per sq ft

What is the formula for calculating plants per area?

For square grid planting: Plants = (Area in sq ft) ÷ (Spacing in ft)²

For triangular/staggered planting, multiply by approximately 1.15 for denser coverage.

How far apart should I plant shrubs?

Spacing depends on mature width:

• Small shrubs (2-3 ft mature): 18-24 inches apart
• Medium shrubs (4-6 ft mature): 3-4 feet apart
• Large shrubs (6-8 ft mature): 5-6 feet apart
• Hedge spacing: 2-3 feet apart for formal hedges

How long does it take to plant?

Average planting rates per person:

• Small plants (plugs/4" pots): 50-75 per hour
• Medium plants (1 gallon): 25-40 per hour
• Large plants (5-15 gallon): 10-20 per hour
• Container planting: 10-20 pots per hour

What's the difference between square and triangular spacing?

Square spacing creates a grid pattern, while triangular (staggered) spacing allows plants to be offset, typically providing 15% more coverage. Triangular spacing is often preferred for ground covers and mass plantings.

How many plants for a 10x10 garden bed?

For standard 12-inch spacing: Approximately 100 plants (10x10 grid). For 6-inch spacing: Approximately 400 plants. Use our calculator for exact numbers based on your spacing.