Grows best in firm mineral clays, and tolerates moderate salinity, where water level fluctuates from 15 cm below soil surface to 15 cm above. Tolerates burning if water is above soil surface, but burning is not essential for management. However, stands may be started by transplanting young plants or rooted stolons. Starts growth in February in southern locations, later further north. Foliage stays green until frost.
New shoots grow from buds at nodes of old stems, stolons or rhizomes.
Harvesting Giant reed cannot withstand prolonged heavy grazing. Its upright growth makes it easy for livestock to remove all the leaves. Water control that lowers the water level but does not drain the area increases production. The straight hollow stems are cut in autumn and dried for arrowshafts, pipestems, loom rods, screens, roofing for houses and adobe huts, etc. Leaves are also gathered and used for weaving mats and other objects.