[8] It has a very wide ecological tolerance range, but grows best in sunny areas with well-drained, moist soil at low elevations.

It rapidly forms a dense ground cover, crowding away and preventing other plant species from regenerating.

It is a noxious weed in agricultural land, along roadsides urban waste places and other disturbed sites.

It is also invasive along streams, canals, along the borders of mangrove swamps and in coastal vegetation.

It is widespread as an invasive species on the Pacific Islands, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.