Stems with burs can persist through winter. Dispersed burs can remain on or near the soil surface through the following summer. Aggressively colonizes open, disturbed sites in fields, orchards, vineyards, alfalfa, cultivated crops, ditch banks. Often infests sandy, well-drained soils. Burs disperse by clinging to skin and fur of animals, shoes and clothing of humans, tires, farm machinery, and by floating on water.
Seedlings emerge in spring or early summer, and growth is rapid under moist conditions.
Mechanical scarification and the presence of low levels of nitrate appears to stimulate germination. Seedlings can emerge from soil depths to 10 cm. Seed from upper spikelets typically germinates within one year. Seed from lower spikelets germinates more slowly and can remain dormant for longer periods. Light appears to inhibit germination and induce dormancy of seeds.