[3][4] It is considered a problematic invasive species due to its use in home aquariums and subsequent release into non-native ecosystems.

[4] As a result of its popularity in aquariums the plant has now spread to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.

[citation needed] Elodea densa is able to match photosynthetic output to available light like many macrophyte species.

[13] Elodea densa is a popular aquarium plant, but is no longer sold in some areas due to its invasive potential.

[16] Elodea densa has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized and invasive in many warm temperate to subtropical regions of the world, including Abkhazia, South Africa, the Azores, Guangdong, Hawaii, the Society Islands, Venezuela, New Zealand,[3] New Caledonia,[17] and North America.

[13] Due to its occurrence in northern Iceland, E. densa is one of the first freshwater alien plant species that reached the Arctic.

[13] Most of its impact occurs in the shallow waterways; the plant forms thick mats that obstruct boat passage, clog water intakes and aqueducts, trap sediments, crowd out native vegetation, and impede the migration of anadromous fish.

[4] A variety of methods are needed to ensure that growth of E. densa is stopped due to its ability to regrow when fragmented through mechanical means.