jardineria

How Many Plants Do You Need for a Hedge?

Enter your hedge length and plant species — get the exact number of plants to buy. Spacing table for thuja, privet, and bamboo included. Instant, free.

Data verified · June 2026
Edited by Martín Rodríguez
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Edited by: Martín Rodríguez (editorial policy )

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Planning a hedge and wondering how many plants to buy? The answer comes down to one variable: spacing. Enter your total hedge length and choose a plant species — the calculator applies the correct spacing for that species and gives you the exact quantity to purchase, already rounded up so you never run short.

When to use this calculator

Residential privacy hedge projects
Professional landscapers pricing a job
Verify quantity before visiting the nursery
Compare species by total plant count and cost
Budget planning for hedge installation
School or community garden hedge projects

Hedge Plant Spacing Reference by Species

Species	Spacing (m)	Plants per metre	Plants for 10 m	Plants for 20 m	Plants for 50 m
Thuja (Thuja occidentalis)	0.8 m	1.25	13	25	63
Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)	0.4 m	2.5	25	50	125
Bamboo (Phyllostachys, clumping)	1.0 m	1.0	10	20	50

Fuente: RHS — Hedges: Planting (rhs.org.uk). Values rounded up (ceiling) to whole plants. Add 10% extra on runs over 50 m to account for die-off.

Recommended Spacing & Plants per Metre — Common Hedge Species (Single Row)

Always round the plant count up to a whole plant, and add one extra plant per corner.

Species	Type	Spacing	Plants per metre	Plants for 10 m
Box / Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)	Slow evergreen	0.20 m	5	50
Yew (Taxus baccata)	Slow evergreen	0.30 m	3	30
Privet (Ligustrum)	Semi-evergreen	0.30–0.45 m	2.5–3	25–33
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)	Deciduous	0.33 m	3	30
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)	Deciduous	0.33 m	3	30
Cherry / Portugal Laurel (Prunus)	Fast evergreen	0.60 m	1.65	17
Thuja (Thuja occidentalis / plicata)	Fast evergreen	0.80 m	1.25	13
Leylandii (× Cuypressocyparis)	Fast conifer	0.60–1.0 m	1–1.65	10–17
Bamboo (Phyllostachys, clumping)	Fast grass	1.0 m	1	10

Single-row spacing for a garden privacy hedge. Tighter spacing fills in faster but costs more. Tall conifer hedges (Leylandii/Thuja over 2 m) are often spaced at one-quarter of the intended final height, up to 1 m. Box and Yew go closest (slow growers need density). For a staggered double row, multiply plant count by ~1.5. Fuente: RHS — Hedges: Planting; Ashridge Trees & Hopes Grove Nurseries spacing guides (UK).

Hedge Growth Rate & Time to a Full Screen by Species

Pick by how fast you need privacy vs. how much trimming you'll tolerate — fast hedges are higher-maintenance.

Species	Growth rate	Annual growth	Years to ~2 m screen	Trimming	Max usable height
Privet (Ligustrum)	Fast	30–40 cm/yr	3–4 yrs	2–3× / year	3–4 m
Leylandii (× Cupressocyparis)	Very fast	75–90 cm/yr	2–3 yrs	2–3× / year	Trim to keep ≤4 m
Thuja occidentalis	Fast	30–60 cm/yr	3–5 yrs	1× / year	4–5 m
Thuja 'Green Giant' (plicata × standishii)	Very fast	90–150 cm/yr	2–3 yrs	1× / year	6 m+
Cherry / Portugal Laurel (Prunus)	Fast	30–60 cm/yr	3–4 yrs	1–2× / year	5 m
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)	Moderate	30–40 cm/yr	4–6 yrs	1× / year	4–5 m
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)	Moderate	30–40 cm/yr	4–6 yrs	1× / year	4–5 m
Bamboo (Phyllostachys, clumping)	Very fast	Up to 100 cm/yr	2–3 yrs	Thin canes yearly	3–5 m
Yew (Taxus baccata)	Slow	20–25 cm/yr	8–10 yrs	1× / year	Any (regrows from old wood)

Established growth rates (after year 1) under good soil and watering; first-year growth is slower while roots establish. "Years to ~2 m screen" assumes planting bare-root/young stock ~60–80 cm tall. Fast growers (Leylandii, Thuja 'Green Giant', bamboo) reach privacy height quickest but need a firm yearly trim and a rhizome barrier (bamboo) to stay in bounds; yew is slow but the most forgiving — it re-sprouts from old wood if cut back hard. Fuente: RHS, Hopes Grove Nurseries & BBC Gardeners' World hedge growth-rate guides (UK).

How it works

How to Calculate the Number of Hedge Plants

The formula is straightforward:

> plants = ⌈ length (m) ÷ spacing (m) ⌉

Always round up (ceiling) — you need a whole plant at the last position even if it lands short of the endpoint.

Species Spacing Reference Table

Species	Spacing	Plants per metre	Plants for 10 m	Plants for 20 m	Plants for 50 m
Thuja	0.8 m	1.25	13	25	63
Privet	0.4 m	2.5	25	50	125
Bamboo	1.0 m	1.0	10	20	50

Why Spacing Matters

Thuja (Thuja occidentalis / western red cedar): slow-growing, dense evergreen. Space 0.8 m apart so crowns eventually touch and form a solid wall. Standard for tall privacy screens (2–5 m). One annual trim keeps it tidy.

Privet (Ligustrum vulgare): fast-growing, semi-evergreen. Close 0.4 m spacing allows the dense interlocking canopy that makes privet famous for impenetrable hedges. Requires trimming every 4–6 months.

Bamboo (Phyllostachys / clumping types): fastest growing of the three. Space 1 m apart — clumps spread to fill gaps within 2–3 seasons. Always use a physical rhizome barrier (40–60 cm deep) to prevent runners spreading beyond the intended line.

Practical Tips

Buy 10 % extra for die-off, especially on long runs (50 m+).

Best planting window: autumn (roots establish over winter) or early spring before heat stress.

Stagger a double row? Multiply the single-row count by ~1.5 and shift every second row by half a spacing interval.

Corners: add one extra plant per corner so the hedge closes cleanly.

Worked Example: 10 m Thuja Hedge

Hedge length: 10 m

Thuja spacing: 0.8 m between plants

10 ÷ 0.8 = 12.5 → round up → 13 plants

13 thuja plants needed

Frequently asked questions

How many plants do I need per metre of hedge?

It depends on the species. Privet: 2.5 plants/m (0.4 m spacing). Thuja: 1.25 plants/m (0.8 m spacing). Bamboo: 1 plant/m (1.0 m spacing). Multiply your hedge length by the plants-per-metre figure and always round up.

What spacing should I use between hedge plants?

Standard landscape spacing: Thuja 0.8 m, Privet 0.4 m, Bamboo 1.0 m. Tighter spacing fills in faster but increases cost. Looser spacing saves money but leaves visible gaps for 1–2 extra seasons.

How many thuja plants do I need for a 10-metre hedge?

13 thuja plants. The calculation: 10 m ÷ 0.8 m spacing = 12.5, rounded up to 13. For 20 m you need 25, for 50 m you need 63.

How many privet plants for a 10-metre hedge?

25 privet plants. Privet is spaced at 0.4 m: 10 ÷ 0.4 = 25 exactly. For 20 m: 50 plants. For 50 m: 125 plants.

Do I need to round up or down when calculating hedge plants?

Always round UP (ceiling). If the formula gives 12.5, buy 13 plants — you need a plant at that last position even if it falls a bit before the endpoint, or the hedge will have a gap.

Should I plant a single or double row of hedge plants?

Single rows work for most privacy hedges. Double rows create a thicker, more windproof barrier. For a double row, increase your single-row plant count by about 50 % and offset the second row by half a spacing interval.

Does bamboo need a root barrier when planted as a hedge?

Yes, for running bamboo (Phyllostachys species). Install an HDPE root barrier at least 40–60 cm deep along both sides of the planting strip before planting. Clumping bamboo (Fargesia) spreads much more slowly and may not need one.

When is the best time to plant a hedge?

Autumn (September–November in the northern hemisphere) is ideal: cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress and roots establish over winter. Early spring (March–April) is the second-best window. Avoid planting in summer heat or hard winter frost.

How do I plan a hedge around a corner?

Calculate each straight section separately, then add one extra plant per corner. The corner plant anchors both sides of the turn and ensures the hedge closes neatly at the angle.

Can I use this calculator for other plant species?

The built-in options cover the three most common hedge species. For other plants, use the general formula: plants = ⌈ length ÷ recommended spacing ⌉. Check the nursery tag or supplier guide for the correct spacing for your specific species.

Sources & references

Methodology & trust

Editorial

jardineria calculator with its formula verified automatically against RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) — Hedges: Planting, per our editorial policy and methodology.

Updates

Updated: June 2026. Parameters are verified periodically against the cited sources.

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Limitations

Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.

📌 How to cite this calculator

Rodríguez, M. (2026). How Many Plants Do You Need for a Hedge?. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/en/plants-per-meter-hedge

Content licensed under CC-BY 4.0 — reuse it citing the source with a link to Hacé Cuentas.

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