To avoid introgression with other H. debilis subspecies, do not grow them in a common garden. Ground cover in sandy, open environments. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without i , Considertions, Aggressively self-seeds, can be a nuisance in the wrong situation. , Wildlife, Seeds eaten by birds and small mammals.  When full grown, provides a thicket for protection of small birds and animals. , Habitat, Beach dunes, coastal grasslands, sandhill, and scrub , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Primarily pollinated by bees.

Wild cotton is a rare plant; it needs protection against missuses and protection against removal from natural populations. Use as a short-lived "shru , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, It is not legal to plant this plant, but the reasons are very dated. A Florida law was passed in the early 1900s banning the growing of wild cottons, , Habitat, Dry sites. Tropical hammock, coastal berm, shell mound. Disturbed area. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits Larval host plant for gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) butterflies. Flowers attract bees, flies, thrips, grass hoppers,