Hedge Planting Spacing Calculator
Calculate hedge plants from length and species spacing for boxwood, privet, and arborvitae.
Returns plant count, spacing in feet, and estimated planting cost.
Hedge plant spacing determines how quickly your hedge fills in and how healthy the plants remain long-term. Space too close and plants compete for light, water, and nutrients. Space too far and it takes years to form a solid screen.
Formulas: Number of Plants = (Hedge Length ÷ Spacing) + 1 For double-row hedges: Plants = (Hedge Length ÷ Spacing) × 2 + 2 Time to Fill In (years) ≈ (Spacing − Mature Width per Plant) ÷ Annual Growth Rate
What each variable means:
- Hedge Length — total linear distance to be planted, measured in feet or meters.
- Spacing — center-to-center distance between plants. Typically 30–60% of the plant’s mature spread.
- Mature Width — the expected spread of one plant at full growth. Found on the plant tag or species database.
Recommended spacing by common hedge species:
| Plant | Spacing | Mature Height | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leyland Cypress | 5–8 ft | 40–70 ft | Fast (3–4 ft/yr) |
| Arborvitae (Thuja) | 3–5 ft | 10–30 ft | Medium (1–2 ft/yr) |
| English Laurel | 4–6 ft | 15–25 ft | Fast (2–3 ft/yr) |
| Boxwood | 1.5–3 ft | 3–8 ft | Slow (6 in/yr) |
| Holly (Nellie Stevens) | 5–8 ft | 15–25 ft | Medium-fast |
| Privet | 2–3 ft | 8–15 ft | Fast |
| Forsythia | 4–6 ft | 6–10 ft | Fast |
Worked example: You need a 60-foot privacy hedge using Arborvitae (Green Giant variety), spaced 5 feet apart.
Plants needed = (60 ÷ 5) + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13 plants
Green Giant grows 3 feet per year. At 5-foot spacing, they will touch in approximately 2 years and form a solid screen in 3–4 years.
If using a double staggered row for faster coverage: Plants = (60 ÷ 5) × 2 + 2 = 24 + 2 = 26 plants (rows offset by 2.5 ft)
Cost estimate: At $35–$65 per 5-gallon plant, 13 plants = $455–$845 for materials.
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This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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