It grows in many types of habitat, often in alkali soils, such as in California desert regions.

Sporobolus airoides is a perennial bunchgrass forming a clump of stems reaching up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall.

The inflorescence is long and generally wide open and spreading, bearing yellow spikelets with purplish bases.

The grass produces abundant seeds, which are often dispersed in flowing water and germinate when embedded in sediment.

[2] Sporobolus airoides is a facultative halophyte, able to grow in soils with high salt concentrations.