Common Elephant's-Foot is a plant with a native range that spans parts of the subtropical and tropical Americas. Its reach has expanded beyond its indigenous borders, with introductions into various countries across Asia and South America. It thrives in a variety of habitats within these major regions, marking its presence outside of its original ecosystem.

Common Elephant's-Foot originates from South America. Being a weed, it has an aggressive growth pattern and can spread quickly, overrunning other plants in a garden. Its ability to reproduce through both seeds and rhizomatic growth aids in its spread and makes it particularly tough to control. It doesn't need optimal soil or lighting conditions to grow, which further intensifies its invasive nature. The reason it's harmful to gardens is because the plant takes up space, light, and nutrients that could have been better utilized by ornamental plants or crops. The plant can become a dominant force in a garden, reducing biodiversity and potentially changing the ecosystem's balance. The main way common Elephant's-Foot propagates is through its seeds, which are dispersed by wind. This dispersal mechanism enables the plant to spread over vast areas, invading new territories and making its control even more difficult.

The best season to remove common Elephant's-Foot is during the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing but just prior to it reaching its seed-producing stage. This is done to prevent the plant from spreading more seeds within your garden or yard.