Swannanoa darters spawn on variable substrates, and these may include vegetation, sand, or rock substrates.

These basins are frequently found in streams and rivers with a relatively soft rock substrates such as limestones and sandstones.

It grows on several types of rock substrate, such as acid rock, sandstone, quartz, and granitic rock.

A diverse community of corals and sponges colonizes this rock substrate that rapidly drops to a depth of 20 to 25 ft (6 to 8 m).

Its habitat includes mountain woodlands on volcanic and metamorphosed sedimentary rock substrates.

It should also be noted that across all regions, the species tends to prefer habitat with sand, gravel, or rock substrates.

The plant dies back after reproducing and gets washed from its rock substrate by waves during the following winter.

Generally found in sand or silt bottoms, sometimes in sandy areas on rock substrate.

The plant communities are fragile because of their tenuous attachment to thin soil above the rock substrate.

It grows in mountainous habitat on ultramafic rock substrates, often in serpentine soils.