- Appropriate spacing in the bed has several advantages
- Safety distance also applies on the balcony
- tips and tricks
The correct planting distance plays a central role in the successful cultivation of tomatoes. If the mighty tomato plants are too close together, there is a risk of unnecessary problems in care. Find out the most important data for beds, balconies and greenhouses here.

Appropriate spacing in the bed has several advantages
Outdoor tomato plants are particularly susceptible to diseases and pests. If an insufficient planting distance is used here, there is a risk of the widely feared brown rot, especially if there is no rain protection. In addition, the care work is significantly hampered if the tomatoes are too close together. Experienced tomato gardeners therefore advocate the following values:
- Planting distance in the bed: 60 to 80 centimeters
- Row spacing: 80 to 100 centimeters
Tomatoes in the greenhouse bed may be closer together
In the greenhouse, the room capacity is always tight. Understandably, hobby gardeners are stingy with the planting distance. Since tomato plants are protected from strong winds and rain in the greenhouse, they can be planted a little closer together. However, you should not go below a distance of 50 centimetres.
Safety distance also applies on the balcony
Small tomato varieties are extremely popular for growing in pots on the balcony. No wonder, because care work on cocktail tomatoes is easy. Hanging tomatoes, which can be nibbled on from a deckchair, ensure heavenly conditions. Regardless, the importance of proper planting spacing should not be underestimated. Cunning fungal spores and insatiable lice also lurk here. These values apply:
- Growth height up to 25 centimetres: planting distance of 50 to 60 centimetres
- Growth height greater than 25 centimetres: planting distance of 60 to 80 centimetres
These values apply both to planting in balcony boxes and to placing individual tubs next to each other. If, despite these distances, the leaves of neighboring tomato plants are constantly touching, the pots are pushed apart or the endangered foliage is pinched out.
tips and tricks
Even when sowing tomato seeds, a sufficient distance comes into focus. The individual seeds are ideally used 3 centimeters apart. At least a 50 cent coin should fit between them.