Echinopsis pachanoi grows in rocky, well-drained soil along the entire length of the Andes mountains, stretching from Argentina to Ecuador. A high altitude native (6000-9000 feet), this plant thrives in cold climates down to 15 degrees F.
Any cactus grower will tell you that a minimum temperature guideline usually means “when dry,” but not so with San Pedro! Most cactus get rainfall during their warm season, and so are likely to fail when exposed to a wet winter, even if they can tolerate much colder temps in habitat—but San Pedro, in its mountain habitat, receives ample rainfall while still enduring quite cold temperatures.
Unlike other columnar cactus, San Pedro is relatively unspined, increasing its usefulness around patios and walkways, in pots and even indoors in a sunny spot.