In this guide

  1. On centre
  2. By species
  3. The trade-off
  4. Too close
  5. From the fence

1. What “on centre” actually means

Spacing is measured trunk to trunk, not gap to gap. A hedge at “2 feet on centre” has 24 inches between the middle of one plant and the next, regardless of current foliage width.

To calculate quantity, divide the run length by the spacing and add one for the end.

Example: a 60-foot fence line at 2.5 feet on centre needs 60 ÷ 2.5 = 24, plus one = 25 plants.

Evenly spaced rows of arboricola showing correct hedge spacing
SpacingEven spacing closes the gaps

2. Spacing by species

  • Clusia — 2–3 ft. Fast and wide; 3 ft is fine if you can wait, 2 ft for sooner coverage.
  • Podocarpus — 2–2.5 ft. Slower and narrower, so tighter spacing is standard for a formal wall.
  • Cocoplum — 2–3 ft. Moderate growth, spreads reasonably.
  • Areca palm — 3–4 ft. Clumps outward from the base, so tight spacing wastes plants and money.
  • Arboricola — 2–3 ft. Good in partial shade where others thin.
  • Silver buttonwood — 3–4 ft as a screen, wider for specimen form.

3. The real trade-off: time versus money

Spacing is a decision about how much you will pay to wait less.

On a 60-foot run, going from 3 feet to 2 feet on centre takes you from 21 plants to 31 — roughly a 48% increase in plant cost — to close perhaps a season earlier.

There is a second lever people overlook: starting size. Larger stock at wider spacing frequently gives faster privacy than small stock packed tightly, and can cost less overall. Tell us your budget and timeline and we will work the combination.

4. What happens when plants are too close

Overcrowding is not free. Plants packed tighter than they want to grow compete for water, nutrients and light, producing:

  • Thin lower growth as interior branches shade out — the opposite of what a privacy hedge is for
  • More disease pressure from reduced airflow in Miami humidity
  • Uneven vigour, where stronger plants dominate
  • Awkward replacement if one plant fails

5. How far from the fence or wall

Do not plant tight against a boundary. Allow 2–3 feet between the hedge line and a fence or wall, more for wide species like clusia.

That gap lets air circulate behind the hedge, gives you access to trim the back, and stops plants growing one-sided.

Also check mature width against your property line. A clusia planted a foot inside the boundary will be growing over your neighbour’s side within a few years.

Bring us the run length, available depth and how quickly you need coverage. Those three numbers determine everything else. Get a quote.

Frequently asked questions

How far apart should I plant clusia?
Two to three feet on centre. Two feet closes sooner at higher cost; three feet is more economical and typically fills within an extra season.
How many hedge plants do I need for 100 feet?
Divide 100 by your spacing and add one. At 2 ft that is 51 plants, at 2.5 ft 41, at 3 ft 35.
Is it better to buy bigger plants or space them closer?
Frequently bigger, spaced normally. Larger stock at standard spacing often screens sooner than small stock packed tight, and can work out cheaper.
How far from the fence should a hedge be planted?
Two to three feet, more for wide-growing species. That allows airflow, access to trim the back, and even growth on both sides.