Tomato plants should generally be spaced between 18 to 36 inches apart, depending on the variety and growing method:
- For most home gardens, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches apart within rows and about 36 inches between rows is recommended to allow adequate room for growth, sunlight, and air circulation, which helps prevent disease
- Determinate tomato varieties, which grow to a fixed size, can be spaced about 2 to 3 feet apart, while indeterminate varieties, which grow and produce fruit continuously, may require more space
- Some gardeners successfully plant tomatoes as close as 12 to 15 inches apart, especially if they prune suckers and lower leaves and use staking or trellising to manage growth. However, closer spacing can increase competition for nutrients and water and may raise the risk of fungal diseases due to reduced airflow
- Rows are often spaced about 3 to 4 feet apart to facilitate air circulation and ease of harvesting
In summary, a good rule of thumb is to plant tomato plants about 18 to 24 inches apart within rows, with rows spaced about 3 feet or more apart, adjusting spacing based on tomato type and growing conditions for optimal health and yield
