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FRUITING VEGETABLE

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes include vining (indeterminate or cordon) and bush (determinate) forms. Growth habit, eventual size and the support system affect how much room a plant needs. [1][2]

Plant
Tomato
Category
Fruiting vegetable
Spacing
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SOURCE-BACKED GUIDANCE

Plant spacing

Compare spacing guidance for vining, cordon and bush tomatoes before entering a value in the calculator.

Vining plants in a home garden

Plant spacing
2–3 ft in all directions

University of Minnesota guidance for vining plants grown with support. [1]

General cordon or bush planting

Plant spacing
45–60 cm (18–24 in)

RHS guidance says to adjust for the plant's eventual size and check the seed packet. [2]

Growing-method context

Install stakes, cages or other supports when planting so roots are less likely to be disturbed later. [1]

Planning notes

Keep the two published ranges separate: they describe different horticultural contexts and should not be averaged into a universal recommendation. [1][2]

TURN GUIDANCE INTO A LAYOUT

Use the Plant Spacing Calculator

Choose the source entry that matches your plant and growing method, then enter that spacing yourself. The calculator applies only the geometry you provide.

Open calculator

Sources

  1. University of Minnesota Extension: Growing tomatoes in home gardensReviewed by Grownestia 2026-09-08
  2. Royal Horticultural Society: How to grow tomatoesReviewed by Grownestia 2026-09-08