Each head only produces 20 to 80 fully developed achenes, but a typical plant can average between 3,000 and 10,000 fertile achenes. Once pollinated, seeds have the capability to germinate in only 5 days, but they reach maximum viability in 7 to 9 days. Wind is the primary dispersal agent, but seeds may become attached to animals and move in vehicles and farm equipment. Seeds require an almost continual water source for germination, although short periods of desiccation may not reduce viability. Burial depth influences seedling emergence, especially if the seeds are buried deeper than 3 cm.
Germination is higher under plant cover and litter.
They generally grow in patches that cover a total of 5 to 10 hectares. Perennial sowthistle is found in mid-successional sites that have been disturbed in the last 11 to 50 years. They have the long-term potential to invade and modify existing native plant communities. They may modify or retard the successional potential by decreasing plants that are the secondary successional resources. Several control options exist for perennial sowthistle.