[4] Diarrhena americana naturally occurs throughout the Midwestern United States, including in eastern Oklahoma and Missouri; south to Alabama; east to Kentucky, the Appalachian Mountains and northern Maryland; and north to southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and southern Michigan.

[2][5][6] The grass plant lives in rich cove forests and woodlands, preferring to grow in the moist soils of shaded ledges and riverbanks.

[7] It grows in rich, moist woodlands from Missouri to Maryland and south to Oklahoma and Alabama.

[8] Diarrhena americana is cultivated as an ornamental grass, grown in traditional and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping projects.

It will tolerate drought, heavy shade, competition from eastern black walnuts, and urban air pollution.