How Far Apart to Plant Tomatoes in a Vegetable Garden

When it comes to the summer growing season, almost every home gardener likes to add a tomato plant or two to their outdoor spaces. The beloved fruit is a favorite in everything from a fresh garden salad to a cheeseburger topping, which is why it's become a backyard staple for so many. However, tomato plants can be a bit finicky when it comes to getting too close to their tomato neighbors, and they like a bit of space between themselves and their fellow garden companions. 

Why Tomatoes Need the Right Amount of Space

Tomatoes need a certain amount of room to allow for better airflow, which helps keep their leaves drier, lowering the risk of bacterial or fungal diseases, says Dr. Clydette Alsup-Egbers, associate professor of environmental plant science, Missouri State University. The rule of thumb is to plant them a minimum of 2 feet apart, she says.

If you're growing a lot of tomatoes this year, you'll want to make sure your rows are properly spaced as well, says Autumn Hilliard-Knapp, horticulture specialist at Perfect Plants Nursery. Each row should also be 2 feet or more from the one next to it. "This will again allow proper air circulation and sunlight to be received by each plant and will prevent diseases and low growth or production," she says.

Maximize Growth Potential

"Appropriate spacing allows for better air circulation and sunlight exposure aiding in moisture regulation and photosynthesis," says Hillard-Knapp. "Having enough space for each plant to receive an accurate amount of sunlight will help your tomato plant thrive. Additionally, suitable spacing enhances soil fertility as each plant will have enough room to access sufficient nutrients from the surrounding soil area." 

Disease and Pest Prevention

While proper spacing does not guarantee a pest-free plant, it can mitigate the spread of pests. "If plants are spaced properly, it is less likely that one plant's pests will spread to your other crops," says Hillard-Knapp. Some common tomato plant diseases include root rot, early blight, and black mold. These thrive in moist environments, and can often be found in tomato plants that are planted too close together, she says.

Spacing by Tomato Type

While the distance required varies by plant varieties, Hilliard-Knapp says that two of your biggest factors in deciding how much space you need will depend on whether it's an indeterminate or determinate variety of tomato.

Determinate Tomatoes

"A determinate tomato plant will be fruitful by planting them 2 to 3 feet apart," says Hilliard-Knapp, since determinate tomatoes require less space overall because they only grow to a certain point before stopping. 

Indeterminate Tomatoes

An indeterminate requires a bit more room. "An indeterminate tomato plant will be most happy if planted between 3 and 4 feet apart," she continues. "This is because indeterminate tomato plants grow almost indefinitely, continuing to flower and fruit."  

Spacing Tomatoes in Container Gardens vs. Planting in the Ground

The good news is that your spacing needs won't change based on where you're growing your tomatoes, and that includes those directly planted in the ground and those growing in a container garden. "One of the most notable differences between these options is that plants in a container or raised bed may require more frequent watering than a plant planted in the soil," Hillard-Knapp says, adding that it's important to check on your container tomato plants more frequently during the hotter months of the year to see if they need extra watering. 

"In containers and raised beds, it's also important to be mindful of soil depletion," she continues. "To maintain nutrient-rich soil, I suggest incorporating a natural fertilizer at the start of each season to replenish essential nutrients. By doing so, you can ensure that your plants have a nourishing environment to thrive in."

Signs Tomatoes Are Spaced Too Close

If your tomatoes are already in the ground and planted closer than the recommended 2 to 3 feet, you may find yourself wondering if they're really going to suffer due to their cramped quarters. Alsup-Egbers says some common signs that your tomatoes are overcrowded include "slower growth and less fruit because of competition, and possibly more diseases due to air flow issues." 

If your tomatoes are planted closer than you'd like and you can see that they're suffering from the lack of leg room, you may be able to fix the problem by transplanting them. Just remember your tomatoes may pause production if they experience transplant shock and they'll require a little extra TLC and some heavy watering if you're making the move in the heat of summer.  

Don't Space Tomatoes Too Far Apart

While they do like some space, Hillard-Knapp says they can get lonely if they're spaced too far away. "Many people often disregard the fact that tomato plants can be spaced too far apart because the plant can still grow and produce," she says, adding that your tomato will produce more fruits when it's properly spaced. "Following the spacing rule of 2 to 3 feet for tomato plants will help your tomato plant be as productive as possible." 

Alsup-Egbers says you should also consider how much space you'll need to get around your tomatoes. You'll want to keep in mind the type of equipment you'll be using around them for weeding, watering, and harvesting. "Do you need to get a cart between rows? A tractor?" she says. All of these things may need more room than your standard two feet.

All that being said, Alsup-Egbers says you don't need rows and rows of tomatoes to enjoy the summertime favorite. "One plant by itself is fine," she says, adding that the advantage of having multiple plants is to speed up their self-pollinating nature since they can "yield better if bees or other pollinators visit and cross pollinate them." If the insect visits the flowers of one plant, it's likely also going to visit the plants nearby.