Transplants in a field study had 55% survival after 7 years (Mottl et al. 2006). Zig zag goldenrod also self-sows and spreads extensively by rhizomes (Mottl et al. 2006).

Experimental seed addition in a small field study resulted in establishment of zig zag goldenrod seedlings in 42-54% of plots after three years (Brudvig et al. 2011) However, of 300 seeds planted in a central Iowa demographic study, 45 germinated (15%) and 3 plants survivied to year 5; 3 flowered after an average of 4 years (Mabry in prep.). These studies suggest that introduction using transplants has a high potential for success, while introduction by seed requires further study.

Mature plants transplanted in the field had 78% survival after two years, and continued high survivial in year 3. In addition, by year two new plants were establishing vegetatively (Altricher et al. 2020).

Seed output 100-1000/plant; high vegetative spread (Barkley 1986, Gleason and Cronquist 1991).