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How far apart to plant courgettes depends on the variety and how you plan to grow them.
As a general rule, space courgettes about 90cm (3 feet) apart in each direction.
This gives each plant enough room to spread its large leaves without competing for sunlight, water, or nutrients.
If you’re growing courgettes in containers or a smaller raised bed, you can plant them slightly closer, but never cram them together.
In this post, we’ll cover exactly how far apart to plant courgettes, why spacing matters, and the different methods you can use for a healthy, productive crop.
Let’s dig in.
How Far Apart to Plant Courgettes (The Short Answer)
The short answer to how far apart to plant courgettes is 90cm to 1 metre (3 to 3.3 feet) between plants.
For rows, keep about 1.2 metres (4 feet) between each row.
This spacing gives courgette plants the room they need to grow vigorously and produce plenty of fruit.
1. Bush Varieties
Bush courgettes stay relatively compact, so planting them 60cm to 90cm (2 to 3 feet) apart works well.
2. Vining or Trailing Varieties
Trailing courgettes spread further, so plant them at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) apart.
3. Containers
If you’re growing courgettes in pots, one plant per 30-litre container is ideal, spaced at least 60cm apart from other pots.
Why Spacing Courgettes Properly Matters
Getting the spacing right when you plant courgettes isn’t just about tidiness.
It directly affects how well your plants grow and how much fruit you harvest.
1. Airflow and Disease Prevention
Courgette plants have big, broad leaves that can create a humid microclimate underneath.
When you plant courgettes too close together, air can’t move freely between them.
That trapped moisture encourages powdery mildew and other fungal problems.
Proper spacing lets breezes dry the foliage fast, keeping your courgettes healthier.
2. Sunlight for Every Leaf
Courgettes need full sun, and crowded plants end up shading each other.
When leaves stay in shadow, the plant produces fewer flowers and less fruit.
Planting courgettes far enough apart means every leaf gets the light it needs for photosynthesis.
3. Easier Pollination
Bees and other pollinators need clear flight paths between flowers.
If you plant courgettes in a tight clump, pollinators struggle to reach the blooms.
Good spacing makes it easy for them to move around, which means more courgettes for you.
4. Simple Harvesting and Care
Courgette plants get prickly, and their stems can sprawl across the ground.
Knowing how far apart to plant courgettes gives you room to walk between them.
That space makes watering, weeding, and picking fruit far more comfortable.
Plus, you’ll spot ripe courgettes before they turn into marrows.
Spacing Courgettes in Different Growing Setups
The best distance for courgettes depends on where and how you’re growing them.
Here are the most common setups and how far apart to plant courgettes in each one.
1. In the Open Ground
Plant courgettes 90cm to 1 metre apart in all directions.
If you’re planting in rows, leave 1.2 metres between rows so you can walk through easily.
2. In Raised Beds
A raised bed gives you more control, but courgettes still need space.
In a bed that’s 1.2 metres wide, plant a single row down the middle, spacing each courgette 90cm apart.
If your bed is wider, you can fit two rows, but keep 90cm between plants and 1.2 metres between rows.
3. In Containers
When you plant courgettes in pots, use one plant per container.
Each pot should be at least 30 litres and positioned 60cm to 90cm away from the next one.
4. Using Grow Bags
Grow bags work for courgettes if you choose a large one.
Plant a single courgette per bag and space the bags 60cm to 90cm apart.
5. Companion Planting
Courgettes pair well with beans, corn, and nasturtiums.
When you plant courgettes alongside companions, still respect that 90cm minimum so nothing gets crowded out.
Tips for Planting Courgettes the Right Way
Knowing how far apart to plant courgettes is step one, but a few extra tips will boost your results.
1. Wait Until Frost Has Passed
Courgettes are tender, so plant them outdoors only after the last frost date.
2. Harden Off Seedlings
If you started courgettes indoors, harden them off for a week before planting them out.
3. Enrich the Soil First
Courgettes are heavy feeders, so mix in plenty of compost before planting.
4. Water at the Base
Keep foliage dry by watering the soil, not the leaves, to avoid mildew.
5. Mulch Around Plants
A layer of mulch holds moisture and keeps weeds down between your widely spaced courgettes.
So, How Far Apart to Plant Courgettes?
How far apart to plant courgettes comes down to about 90cm to 1 metre between plants, with 1.2 metres between rows.
That spacing gives courgettes the airflow, sunlight, and room they need to thrive.
Whether you plant courgettes in the ground, a raised bed, or a container, giving them space pays off with healthier plants and a bigger harvest.
So give your courgettes room to breathe, and they’ll reward you all season long.