Winterfat adapts well to most site conditions, and its extensive root system stabilizes soil. However, winterfat is intolerant of flooding, excess water, and acidic soils. Grass species planted with winterfat should be chosen for minimizing possible root competition. Winterfat grows well on salty or alkaline soils. In Texas, winterfat seedlings transplanted on saline-sodic soils had 61 percent survival after 3 years.
Effects depend on severity and season of grazing.
Grazing season has more influence on winterfat than grazing intensity. However, early winter grazing may actually be beneficial. Light grazing and grazing during winter increased winterfat survival and recruitment during a drought in southwestern Utah. On some heavily grazed rangelands, other species are replacing winterfat. Degraded rangeland can be improved by seeding winterfat although seedling establishment is not consistent.