In flower from July to September. Elodea is found in marshes, lakes, rivers and Mississippi River backwaters. It has been recorded in water deeper than 25 feet. This species often forms large masses. The staminate flowers split open, spreading pollen onto the water's surface where it drifts and may, by chance, reach a pistillate flower.
Pollination occurs at the water's surface.
However, most reproduction is vegetative by fragmentation of the stem.