Rocky and sandy shores, stony banks, talus slopes and outcrops and in clearings, moist woods, and thickets, generally at low elevations in the boreal forest. Moderately shade tolerant, occurring in open woods and forests. May be able to sprout from the root crown after low-severity fire. Fire that burns and removes the organic soil will likely kill the shallow root system. Seed contained in the organic mantle probably killed by severe fire, but seed buried in the mineral soil probably survives.
Severe fire creates canopy openings and suitable mineral seedbeds for gooseberry establishment.
Some seed dispersal by animals, but many berries fall to the ground beneath the parent plant. Scarification and stratification enhance germination. Mineral soil is the best seedbed. Seeds have longterm viability, accumulating in the organic layer and mineral soil over time. The ability to regenerate vegetatively by rhizomes or by sprouting is not documented.