Ground Cover Calculator

How many ground cover plants do I need?

ft
ft
in
Plants in a flat

Order this much ground cover (32 per flat)

8flats

Staggered rows, which fill in fastest. Tighter spacing covers ground sooner and costs more up front. Mulch figure assumes 2 in between plants while they spread.

20 ft
Plants231
Area200 sq ft
Mulch at 2 in1.5 cu yd

Ground cover is bought by the flat, so the number that matters is flats. Set your spacing and flat size.

How it works

Each plant takes spacing squared × 0.866 in staggered rows. Bed area ÷ that gives plants, and plants ÷ flat size gives flats.

Before you order

  • Water new plugs often in the first season, while their roots are short.
  • Staggered rows close gaps faster than straight ones.
  • Mulch between plugs to keep weeds down until the plants spread together.

Common questions

How far apart do I plant ground cover?

Commonly 8 to 18 inches, depending on the plant and how fast you want full coverage.

How long does ground cover take to fill in?

Often two or three growing seasons, and sooner with tighter spacing.