This Is How Far Apart You Should Plant Your Tomatoes for Happy, Healthy Plants (2025)

Table of Contents

Spacing Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes Determinate Tomatoes Indeterminate Tomatoes If You Don't Know Your Tomato Type Why It's Important to Space Tomatoes Properly Signs Tomatoes Are Planted Too Close Together Additional Tomato Growing Tips

This Is How Far Apart You Should Plant Your Tomatoes for Happy, Healthy Plants (1)

Know what kind of tomato plant you're sowing—determinate tomatoes need less space than indeterminate varieties.
Determinate tomato varieties do better in containers or raised beds because they do not need as much space.
Proper spacing of tomato plants protects from potential diseases and set plants up to fruit more.

Whether you start your tomatoes from seed or buy tomato seedlings, keep in mind while you plant them that proper spacing is essential for successful growing. As a rule of thumb, allow 2 to 3 feet of space in all directions for each plant, though the exact spacing depends on what type of tomato you're planting.

Read on to learn about properly spacing determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes, the pitfalls of insufficient spacing, and other tomato growing tips.

Spacing Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes

Before planting, check the seed package or the plant label, which should tell you if the tomato variety is determinate or indeterminate. Both tomato types are vines, but determinate tomatoes require less space than indeterminate tomatoes so the exact spacing depends on what type of tomato you are planting.

Tomato spacing is usually given in two measurements: space between plants and space between rows.

Determinate Tomatoes

Determinate tomatoes grow only to a certain height, then flower, set fruit, and ripen within a short timeframe. They can be planted as little as one to two feet apart (though ideally in the 18-14 inches range) in rows 3 to 4 feet apart.

The plants are often compact enough that they don’t require support. Because of their limited growth, they also don’t need pruning.

Indeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomatoes are the exact opposite—they have a long growing season that only ends with the first fall frost. They need a much more generous spacing than determinate tomatoes and should be spaced at least three to four feet apart in rows at least four feet apart.

Indeterminate tomatoes should always be staked, trellised, or caged. Pruning the plants is also essential to keep the vigorous growth under control.

If You Don't Know Your Tomato Type

When in doubt, plant tomatoes further apart rather than closer together. There is no harm in giving them extra space, but too little space can result in a disappointing tomato season.

Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!

Why It's Important to Space Tomatoes Properly

This Is How Far Apart You Should Plant Your Tomatoes for Happy, Healthy Plants (2)

Proper spacing between plants is important to keep tomato plants healthy. Even with the best care, these plants are prone to numerous diseases including fungal diseases (like early blight and late blight) and viruses (like tomato mosaic virus).

Signs Tomatoes Are Planted Too Close Together

Unfortunately, not giving your tomato plants sufficient space will backfire sooner or later in the growing season. You'll know that you skimped on spaced if these symptoms are true of your plants.

Poor harvest. The plants are growing slowly or producing a poor harvest because they are competing for nutrients and water.
No visual borders. You cannot tell where one plant ends, and the next one starts because the vines have become entangled.
Soggy foliage. The foliage remains wet for hours after rainfall even in warm summer weather because there is inadequate airflow.
Difficulty harvesting. Harvesting the tomatoes is tedious because you cannot easily access the plants from all sides.

Additional Tomato Growing Tips

This Is How Far Apart You Should Plant Your Tomatoes for Happy, Healthy Plants (3)

To make your tomato season a success, here are some other key tips for growing delicious tomatoes:

Plant them in full sun where they get at least six to eight hours daily.
Get the soil ready for planting with soil amendments and compost. Also, check if the pH is on target (between 6.2 and 6.8).
Fertilize them every two weeks during the growing season.
Make sure to water the plants deeply and regularly at the base.
Harvest them at the right time. Not all tomatoes are red when they are ripe so know the checklist of signs to look for.

FAQ

How close together can you plant tomatoes?

The absolute minimum spacing for tomato plants is 18 to 24 inches between plants and three feet between rows for determinate tomato varieties.
What is the spacing for tomatoes in raised beds?

Tomato plant spacing in a raised bed is the same as in a ground-level garden. Since space in raised beds is more limited, it is best to plant determinate tomato varieties, which you can plant closer together than indeterminate tomatoes, at a distance of 18 to 24 inches apart.
Can two tomato plants be planted together?

No, tomato plants cannot be planted together—you should give each plant its proper space. A recommended method of plating them is to bury them deeply in the ground. Two plants together would not only compete for space, nutrients, and water below the soil level but they would also grow into an entangled mess with poor air circulation aboveground.