This genus is endemic to Chile and was named after the Chilean city of Copiapó, the capital of the Atacama region. The first plants can be found near the town of Tocopilla up to south of La Serena.
They are almost entirely coastal and rarely grow at altitudes exceeding 1,000 metres above sea level. They are strongly influenced by the coastal fog called camanchaca, from which they take the water they need. Sporadic rainfall depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is the Humboldt Current, which determines El Niño and La Niña climate patterns. These characteristics make The Atacama the driest place on earth. Plant size ranges between a few centimetres (Copiapoa laui) and a few metres (Copiapoa solaris and Copiapoa carrizzalensis, with a diameter of over 2 metres). Given the characteristics of the area where these plants live, there are some specific growing conditions to be met: fast-draining soil with little organic material, full sun exposure, spring and autumn watering, water stress in summer. A mistake that often those who are not familiar with this genus make is causing burns to the plants when repositioning the pots. In fact, Copiapoe plants, although preferring direct sunlight and a few hours of full sun exposure, should not be moved.
