In Southeast Asia, its native range includes Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

The plant was accidentally introduced into the U.S. state of Tennessee around 1919 as a result of being used as a packing material in shipments of porcelain from China.

[23] In the absence of other habitat, stiltgrass is more preferable to have than nothing, providing cover for native amphibians such as wood frogs and toads.

[24] Stiltgrass is also unfavorable habitat for ticks due to higher temperature and lower humidity, leading to increased mortality for them.

[25] The dead fallen stems of stiltgrass can provide shelter for rodents to the point where aerial predators (owls and hawks) cannot catch them.

[27] Stiltgrass can also be controlled by regular fires, thick leaf litter, and succession of taller herbs.