Native Plant Spacing Planner
Spacing native plants correctly is the difference between a lush, healthy garden and a crowded one that struggles. This Native Plant Spacing Planner helps you work out how far apart to plant, and how many plants you need, so your natives grow to full size with good airflow and room to thrive. It uses metric measurements and is built around Australian native shrubs and screening plants, turning your bed size and plant spacing into a clear plant count. Enter your details below to plan your planting.
Native Plant Spacing Planner
Work out how many native plants you need for a rectangular bed. Choose a species preset or enter a custom spread.
Formula: plants = area ÷ (spread²). Round up to nearest whole plant for full coverage.How this calculator works
The planner works in two directions. Give it your bed size and a spacing, and it estimates how many plants you need; or start from a plant mature width and it suggests a sensible spacing. Good spacing is based on how wide each plant grows at maturity, not how small it looks in the pot, so plants knit together without crowding. The result is a practical planting plan you can take to the nursery, whether you are filling a garden bed or planting a screen.
Quick tip Always check the mature width on the plant label or nursery description before you space anything out. Some natives stay compact, while others spread much wider than they look in the pot.
What you need before using it
- Your bed length and width, or the total area, in metres.
- The mature width of the plant you are using.
- Whether you want a solid screen or hedge, or spaced feature plants.
- Any fixed points to work around, such as fences, paths or eaves.
Practical Australian guidance
Space plants to their mature width, not their nursery size, so they fill in without overcrowding. For a fast, solid screen you can plant a little closer than the mature width, but leave enough room for airflow to reduce fungal problems. Group plants with similar water needs together so watering is efficient. Popular Australian natives vary widely: a compact westringia or dwarf grevillea suits closer spacing, while a lilly pilly screen or a full-size callistemon needs more room. Always check the mature width on the label, as some natives stay compact while others spread much wider than they look in the pot, and consider the mature height near fences and eaves.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planting to the current pot size instead of the mature width.
- Overcrowding, which cuts airflow and invites fungal disease.
- Ignoring mature height near fences, windows and eaves.
- Mixing thirsty and drought-tolerant plants in the same bed.
Related calculators
Soil & Underlay Volume Calculator
Soil or underlay volume for beds, turf base and fill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Space them to their mature width so they fill in without crowding. Check the plant label for the expected width, as it varies a lot between species, and enter it into the planner for a spacing suggestion.
Enter your bed size and your chosen spacing and the planner estimates the number of plants. Closer spacing needs more plants and fills in faster; wider spacing needs fewer.
For a screen you can plant a little closer than the mature width so the plants knit together sooner, but leave enough room for airflow. Check the mature width for your chosen species first.
Not necessarily. It depends on the species and its mature size. Some natives stay compact while others spread widely, so always plan around the mature width on the label rather than a general rule.
Yes. Enter your bed size and spacing in metres. If you have imperial measurements, convert them first, as one foot is about 0.3 metres.
Please note These figures are planning estimates based on the size and spacing you enter. Real plant sizes vary with species, soil, climate and pruning, so check the mature width and height for your specific plants and treat the plan as a helpful starting point.
