The plant grows as a deciduous shrub or tree up to 6 metres (20 ft) high,[2] and is most commonly found in upland forests of the southeast's piedmont.

[12] Styrax grandifoliusis a plant species native to the southeastern United States, ranging from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri.

Bigleaf snowbells grow in shaded areas, open mesic upland forests, or in the vicinity of floodplains.

[15] they also have broad pH tolerance, being able to grow in soil with a pH from 5-7,[15] and often found in a wide elevation range from as low as approximately 90 ft. to as high as 1,300 ft.[15] Despite Styrax grandifolius being able to grow in several different soil types, conditions, and deal with moderate disturbance as well as some types of forest fires.

Styrax grandifolius occurs in many different communities including mixed-mesic or upland deciduous forests in the southeastern United States.

Other pollinators also will seek out the Bigleaf snowbell such as, swallowtail butterflies, syrphid flies, sphingid moths, wasps, and solitary bees.

In Illinois and Indiana bigleaf snow bell is considered endangered, while in Virginia it is only on the watch list, and in Ohio it is presumed extricated.

Land development is another threat, while Styrax grandifolius can withstand some damage from landscaping activities, compacted soil negatively impacts bigleaf snowbell.

[15] Bigleaf snowbells are also susceptible to extreme cold and drought, however this usually only occurs in population that appear at the extreme margin of its range, for example, at higher elevations in South Carolina Bigleaf snowbell can be susceptible to flower bud freeze off in early spring.