Marshes dominated by Carex vesicaria occur in shallow mesotrophic to eutrophic wetlands such as the shores of fishponds, oxbows, alluvial pools, the floodplains of small streams, in ditches and in wet depressions in meadows. These habitats are usually inundated by water up to 20 cm deep, but the water table can drop below the soil surface for some periods in summer. Caricetum vesicariae has the highest moisture requirements of the associations of the alliance Magno-Caricion gracilis. It is accordingly most common in precipitation-rich areas. Occurrences of the association in the Czech Republic are concentrated in cool colline and submontane areas.