Inhabits many plant communities in semi-arid to arid regions, but also orchards, vineyards, agronomic crops, especially grains and cotton, pastures, roadsides, landscaped areas, and gardens. Often grows on moist, alkaline to saline soils. Seed germinates in spring. Seedlings grow rapidly and flower the first year. Foliage dies back in fall, and new shoots emerge from roots in spring.
Water can effectively disperse seed.
Heavy grazing can enhance colonization of alkali sida by removing competing vegetation. Cultivation may facilitate spread of plants by dispersing root fragments. However, repeated cultivation can control or eliminate troublesome colonies. To review similarities and differences of selected species in the mallow family, refer to the table Comparison of mallows in the appendix. Arrowleaf sida reproduces only by seed and is considered a noxious agricultural and pasture weed in some regions of Australia.