Some seed falls from the plant when fruit first ripens in the fall. Seedlings grow well in full sun on warm, damp soil. Those grown in even partial shade may appear stunted and eventually die. Conditions necessary for seedling establishment, such as warm, but moist soil and full sun, may be rare in the desert Southwest. Seedling establishment generally occurs only in years with unusually abundant late summer and early fall rainfall.
Mexican buckeye grows in a number of riparian woodland communities.
Little is known about the successional role of Mexican buckeye in oak-juniper woodlands or in desert grassland communities. Mexican buckeye often occurs in deciduous riparian woodlands, which burn infrequently. It is not known whether Mexican buckeye possesses specific adaptations to fire. The effects of fire on Mexican buckeye have not been well documented. Aboveground portions of the plant are presumably killed by fire.