Seed heads mostly remain closed. Seeds disperse passively near the parent plant or with the seed head. Scarification, fluctuating temperatures, and alternating light and dark periods increase germination. Seed can remain viable about 2-3 years. Above ground removal of plants encourages new shoots to sprout from rhizomes.
Shallow cultivation can severe roots and encourages spread.
Refer to the Flower Head Comparison of White, Pink, or Purple-flowered Centaurea and Related Species Table for comparison. Russian knapweed and squarrose knapweed are both deep rooted perennials and established stands are more difficult to control than either spotted or diffuse knapweed. Russian knapweed can invade and persist in numerous ecosystems, including rangeland, pastures, agricultural fields, riparian areas, and wildlands. It has been found in saline, alkaline, low lying areas, but prefers deeper soils with more available moisture. Russian knapweed primarily regenerates new shoots from dark, scaly, rhizomes several inches below the soil surface.