The plant prefers well-drained alkaline soil. It grows to about 3 feet tall, flowering from July to August. Fiber obtained from the stems of velvetleaf is strong and flexible, and can be used to make ropes, rustic fabrics, carpets and papers. Widely cultivated in China and Russia, velvetleaf is more disease-resistant than jute (Corchorus spp) and can absorb a variety of dyes.
A infusion made with the leaves of velvetleaf has been used in Asia for centuries to treat conditions such as dysentery and fever. The leaves contain rutin, which has pain-relieving properties. A dried root infusion was used in the treatment of dysentery, as well as urinary incontinence. The seed is often powdered and used to treat stomach aches. However, as of 2011, there is little irrefutable scientific research on the curative properties of the plant.
Seeds can be consumed cooked or raw, when they are under-ripe. The ripe seed is dried and later ground to make soups and bread but it has to be washed to remove any trace of bitterness. The seed's nutritional composition is about 17.4 percent protein, 16 percent fat, 33.8 percent carbohydrate and 4.4 percent ash.
In the U.S., the immature and exquisitely-shaped fruits of velvetleaf were used in the 18th century to decorate pies and butter slabs. The small star-shaped fruits were pressed against the pie before baking to create patterns. The dried fruits can also be used with paint in arts and crafts projects, to create patterns on papers; or as three-dimensional decorative components on photo frames and greeting cards.