The emerald damselfly is a weak flyer that is usually seen fluttering in and around marginal vegetation. Such vegetation provides it with some degree of protection and it will rarely be seen flying over open water. For breeding it favours static water habitats, where the pair remains in tandem while the female lays her eggs into submerged and floating vegetation. Sometimes during the process of egg-laying the pair will totally submerge themselves.

Unusually for damselflies the emerald damselfly will often rest with its wings half open, rather than the closed position, making it somewhat unique among this interesting group of insects.