It is a very small plant and is found growing on wet gravel and scree in arctic tundra and alpine meadows.

The leaves are in opposite pairs, fused at the base to a short sheath which surrounds the stem; the leaf blades are up to 3 mm (0.12 in) long, obovate, oblong or elliptic, with a blunt tip.

[3] On the island of Svalbard, Koenigia islandica is found on wet alluvial deposits, lake shores, and bare disturbed areas, growing on the black surface formed by mosses, liverworts and algal crust.

Even when killed by heat or drought after flowering, the plant may wither and dry up, but the fruits can still produce viable seed.

Dispersal of the seeds is by birds and water, and they can remain in the ground for years before germinating when the conditions are suitable.