Euryops abrotanifolius is quick to re-establish after a fire, becoming dominant for a few years after a burn and then slowly being replaced by other fynbos plants as the veld recovers. It is also an effective pioneer and is quick to exploit disturbed or open ground. It produces a lot of seed and germinates and grows rapidly from seed. It is not a resprouter in the sense that it does not have a lignotuber, and the plants are most likely killed by a fire, but it does readily send out new growth from older wood when branches are pruned or broken.

The appendage on the tip of the seed is the remains of a stylophore, which develops between the style base and the ovary, and functions as a nectary. It persists only in this species and E. lasiocladus, and possibly acts as an elaiosome. If it does function as an elaiosome, then the seed of these species would be dispersed by ants. i.e. the ants are attracted by the elaiosome-like stylophore, they carry the seeds away to their nests to consume it, dispersing the seeds and keeping them safe in the process.

The flowers are visited by insects in search of pollen and nectar. I observed bees and various beetles visiting the flowers on plants growing on the mountains above Kalk Bay and at Kirstenbosch, as well as a wasp-like hover fly at Kirstenbosch. These hover flies feed on pollen and nectar, and mimic wasps to protect themselves from predators although they themselves cannot sting (other species of hover fly mimic bees). They are often mistaken for wasps, but can be told apart as they have only one pair of wings. They are a good friend to gardeners as their slug-like larvae feed on aphids. The female lays her eggs among the aphids on an infested plant, and when the larvae emerge, they creep over the leaf, spear the aphids and suck their juices.