Sulfur cinquefoil is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and pastures. Colonies of plants are also often seen in undisturbed sites. Flowering occurs from May to July. 

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Sulfur cinquefoil is a perennial, 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall, with well developed root-stocks. Leaves palmately compound with 5 or 7 toothed leaflets on each leat. Leaves that are sparsely hairy appear green on the underside rather than silvery as in many Potentilla species. Flowers light yellow with 5 petals, producing numerous single-seeded oval achenes.