Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Where are most cacti native to?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
houseplant
A selection of plants that thrive indoors.
Cacti are native to the New World, spanning the length of North and South America. Their range extends from British Columbia and Alberta in the north, reaching deep into Chile and Argentina in the south. Mexico is home to the greatest number and variety of cactus species.12
While most cacti are adapted to arid environments, they are found in diverse habitats, including tropical and subtropical regions. Although they are almost exclusively native to the Americas, some members of the genus Rhipsalis are considered possibly native to parts of the Old World, including East Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka.12