Juncus rigidus is native to much of Africa, Mediterranean Europe, the Arabian Peninsula and western Asia, as far east as Pakistan.

Its typical habitat is on the fringes of salt marshes, around pools, in seasonally wet depressions and near wells.

[1] In Egypt, Juncus rigidus grows in association with other salt-tolerant plants such as Halocnemum strobilaceum, golden samphire (Limbarda crithmoides), Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, shrubby seablight (Suaeda vera) and sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides).

The seeds are high in amino acids, proteins, oils and carbohydrates and might be of use in the chemical industry.

It has been suggested that this plant, along with its close relative the sharp-pointed rush (Juncus acutus), might be grown on saline land as an alternative crop with agro-industrial potential.