It is found throughout the British Isles, the Faroes, Iceland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and much of Central Europe[6] (up to elevations of 2400 m in the Alps and 2,100 in the Carpathians).

[8] It is found in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula[6] (in Bulgaria its altitudinal range is 1200–2100 m),[9] the Caucasus, northern Anatolia and north-western Iran.

[11] The plant is a native perennial of slow-draining or wet soils and can tolerate mildly acidic to calcareous conditions in full sun or under partial shade.

[12] It is a component of purple moor grass and rush pastures is a type of Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in the UK.

[13] The seeds of Water Avens are burr-like, and are distributed after being caught in the coats of rabbits and other small mammals,[14] and by rhizomal growth.