It grows in swamps and mangrove forests, salt marshes and on river banks and is tolerant of raised salinity levels.

The larger ones occur on the periphery of the swamp where they may reach 4 metres (13 ft) while much more stunted plants grow in the areas which are frequently inundated.

It can grow in full sun or in deep shade and it has been found that the mangrove Rhizophora mucronata can regenerate in dense stands of the fern.

[1] In Cambodia, where the fern is known as prâng' tük (prâng'="cycad", tük="aquatic", Khmer language), the young leaves are eaten in salads.

[citation needed] Golden leather fern can be grown under high light in garden soil or potting mix, if the substrate is kept constantly wet.