Plains and dry ranges, growing in dense thickets near desert washes but also found at the base of sand dunes and other areas where the water table is close to the surface; at elevations up to 1,800 metres. It is a warm temperate plant. It grows on sandy plains and sandhills. It can grow in desert grassland. It can grow on slightly salty soils. In the SE region of the USA it grows to 1700 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.