The main threat to this plant is the succession of its open habitat to woody plants. Development may also threaten sites, as well as Phragmites.

This species needs disturbance to reduce competition from woody plants or more aggressive herbaceous plants, but too much direct disturbance to the plants will reduce the population. Its habitat could be disturbed in the non-growing season to open it up for seed germination and colonization, but direct disturbance should be prevented during the growing season.

A study of habitat requirements is needed to determine why this plant only occurs on a small portion of the available disturbed sandy habitats.