Stout Blue-eyed Grass is found in wet to mesic prairies and moist open woodlands. It creates tufts of green foliage that spreads through rhizomes. The small blue flowers bloom during the day and attract pollinators. They are found with Calmagrostis canadensis, Monarda fistulosa, and Tradescantia ohiensis in prairies, and in woodlands it is found with Carex blanda, Glyceria striata, and Polygonatum biflorum.