In shallow or low wetlands, new cultivated wheat fields or other paddy fields and dry fields are vulnerable. Phragmites australis has transverse rhizomes. In natural habitats, rhizomes propagate mainly. Rhizomes criss-cross to form a network, and even form a thicker rhizome layer on the water surface. Human and animal can walk on it. Rhizomes have strong vitality, can be buried underground for a long time, 1 meter or more, once the conditions are suitable, they can still develop into new branches. It can also be propagated by seeds, and seeds can propagate in the wind. The range of adaptation to water is very wide, from soil moisture to long-term water accumulation, from the depth of several centimeters to more than one meter, reed communities can be formed. In the water depth of 20-50 cm, slow-moving rivers and lakes, can form a tall grassland community, known as "grassland forest".

In Baiyangdian area of North China Plain, the germination period is from early April to early May, the growth period is from early April to late July, the booting period is from late July to early August, the heading period is from early August to late August, the flowering period is from late August to early September, the seed maturation period is from early October to late October. In the middle and late March of Shanghai, buds emerged from underground rhizomes, which occurred in large numbers from April to May, flowered from September to October, and fruited in November. In Heilongjiang Province, seedlings emerged from May to June, only vegetative growth was carried out in that year. Overwintering buds were formed from July to September. Overwintering buds germinated from May to June, flowered from July to August, and matured from August to September.