Tolerates most soils, but prefers a good loamy soil, abundant moisture and full sunlight. This species is closely related to S. salicifolia and is often treated as no more than a variety of it. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

An infusion of the leaves tastes like China tea.

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if possible. It is likely to require stratification before it germinates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as you receive it. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a light sandy soil a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15cm long, October/November in an outdoor frame. Another report says that September is a good time to do this. Division of suckers in early spring. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Moist meadows, marshes, moist open low woodlands, often in sandy soils.