The Rarest Cactus Plants In The World
Species ranked within each genus from rarest to most available. Scores run 0–10 — ten being the rarest. Rankings are based on wild habitat rarity score. Population estimates sourced from IUCN Red List assessments and published botanical research. Prices reflect mature specimen cost in specialist trade as of 2026.
10
Genera covered
51
Species ranked
30
IUCN threatened
4
Price tiers
Wild habitat rarity (0–10)
Cultivation rarity (0–10)
$ under $50
$$ $50–$200
$$$ $200–$600
$$$$ $1000+
Ariocarpus
6 species shown · all CITES Appendix I
#1Ariocarpus scaphirostris
Ariocarpus scaphirostris
Critically Endangered
#2Ariocarpus agavoides
Ariocarpus agavoides
Critically Endangered
#3Ariocarpus bravoanus
Ariocarpus bravoanus
Critically Endangered
#4Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Endangered
#5Ariocarpus fissuratus
Ariocarpus fissuratus
Endangered
#6Ariocarpus retusus
Ariocarpus retusus
Vulnerable
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Ariocarpus scaphirostris
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Single population, Nuevo León. Estimated 1,000–3,000 wild individuals. Boat-shaped tubercles unique in the genus. Rarest Ariocarpus in cultivation.
Score
9.5
Single known population. No in-situ protection.
Score
9
Almost never seen commercially.
$$$$
#2
Ariocarpus agavoides
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Tamaulipas, Mexico. Gypsum hills only. Estimated 2,000–5,000 wild individuals. Spine-tipped tubercles resemble a miniature agave — unique in the genus.
Score
9
Tiny endemic range. Gypsum specialist.
Score
8.2
Occasionally available with documentation.
$$$$
#3
Ariocarpus bravoanus
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
San Luis Potosí, restricted range. Includes subsp. hintonii. Estimated 3,000–7,000 wild individuals. Recently separated from A. kotschoubeyanus.
Score
8.5
Small threatened population.
Score
7.5
Specialist trade. Verify against kotschoubeyanus.
$$$
#4
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Endangered · IUCN Red List
Central northern Mexico. Estimated 8,000–15,000 wild individuals. Smallest Ariocarpus — rarely exceeds 4cm. Tuberous roots demand near-perfect drainage.
Score
7.5
Endangered. Difficult to census due to small size.
Score
5.5
Available from specialist nurseries.
$$
#5
Ariocarpus fissuratus
Endangered · IUCN Red List
Chihuahuan Desert, Texas and northern Mexico. Estimated 20,000–40,000 wild individuals. Only Ariocarpus extending into the USA. Most widely cultivated species.
Score
6
Endangered. Slow natural recruitment.
Score
3
Most available Ariocarpus. Widely offered.
$$
#6
Ariocarpus retusus
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Central northern Mexico plateau. Estimated 30,000–60,000 wild individuals. Largest Ariocarpus — reaches 20cm across. Most variable species in the genus.
Score
5
Vulnerable. Most widespread in the genus.
Score
2.5
Readily available from specialist nurseries.
$
Lophophora
3 species · all CITES Appendix I
#1Lophophora williamsii
Lophophora williamsii
Vulnerable
#2Lophophora diffusa
Lophophora diffusa
Vulnerable
#3Lophophora fricii
Lophophora fricii
Vulnerable
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Lophophora williamsii
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Chihuahuan Desert, Texas and northern Mexico. Estimated 100,000–200,000 wild individuals. Slow-growing and button-like. Significant population decline from illegal collection documented.
Score
7
Vulnerable. Ongoing decline from collection and habitat loss.
Score
8
Legal restrictions severely limit availability in most countries.
N/A
#2
Lophophora diffusa
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Querétaro, Mexico only. Restricted range in dry scrub on limestone. Estimated 50,000–100,000 wild individuals. Spineless and pale green — more washed out in appearance than williamsii.
Score
7.2
More restricted range than williamsii.
Score
8.2
Same legal restrictions apply. Not commercially available.
N/A
#3
Lophophora fricii
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Coahuila and Zacatecas, Mexico. Most recently described Lophophora species. Estimated 80,000–150,000 wild individuals. Distinguished from williamsii by its more pronounced ribbing.
Score
6.5
Relatively widespread but declining.
Score
8
Same legal restrictions apply. Not commercially available.
N/A
Copiapoa
6 species shown · CITES Appendix II · 82% of genus Critically Endangered or Endangered (IUCN 2025)
#1Copiapoa laui
Copiapoa laui
Critically Endangered
#2Copiapoa humilis subsp. tenuissima
Copiapoa humilis subsp. tenuissima
Critically Endangered
#3Copiapoa solaris
Copiapoa solaris
Endangered
#4Copiapoa cinerea subsp. krainziana
Copiapoa cinerea subsp. krainziana
Critically Endangered
#5Copiapoa esmeraldana
Copiapoa esmeraldana
Critically Endangered
#6Copiapoa cinerea subsp. cinerea
Copiapoa cinerea subsp. cinerea
Critically Endangered
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Copiapoa laui
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Northern Atacama, Chile. Area of occupancy under 20km². Estimated fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. Stems reach only 1cm diameter. Most evolutionarily distinct Copiapoa.
Score
10
Under 1,000 individuals. AOO <20km².
Score
8
Specialist only. Decades to appreciable size.
$$$$
#2
Copiapoa humilis subsp. tenuissima
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Northernmost Atacama, Chile. Area of occupancy under 10km². Estimated fewer than 800 individuals. Miniature even by Copiapoa standards. No in-situ protection.
Score
9.2
Under 800 individuals. AOO <10km².
Score
7.2
Rarely seen in trade. Decades to any specimen.
$$$$
#3
Copiapoa solaris
Endangered · IUCN Red List
Northern Atacama coast, Chile. Area of occupancy under 100km². Estimated 3,000–8,000 wild individuals. Cliff-growing. Distinctive abundant white wool.
Score
9
3,000–8,000 estimated. Road construction active threat.
Score
7
Seed-grown circulate. Mature specimens scarce.
$$$$
#4
Copiapoa cinerea subsp. krainziana
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Taltal vicinity, Chile only. Area of occupancy under 20km². Estimated 2,000–5,000 individuals. Collector demand explicitly documented as an extinction driver in published research.
Score
9.3
2,000–5,000 estimated. Collector pressure documented.
Score
6.5
Seed-grown circulate. Adult specimens scarce.
$$$$
#5
Copiapoa esmeraldana
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Esmeraldas area, coastal Chile. Area of occupancy under 20km². Estimated 2,000–4,000 individuals. Best habitat condition of any Copiapoa but range so narrow any disruption is catastrophic.
Score
8.8
2,000–4,000 estimated. Tiny range despite intact habitat.
Score
5.5
Present in European collections. Seed occasional.
$$$$
#6
Copiapoa cinerea subsp. cinerea
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Coastal Atacama around Taltal. Estimated 5,000–12,000 individuals. Silver farina-covered stems. Can live 200 years — wild plants are centuries old and irreplaceable.
Score
8.7
5,000–12,000 estimated. 200-year lifespans — losses irreversible.
Score
4
More available than most Copiapoa.
$$$$
Mammillaria
9 species shown · 200+ total · CITES Appendix II
#1Mammillaria napina
Mammillaria napina
Critically Endangered
#2Mammillaria pectinifera
Mammillaria pectinifera
Endangered
#3Mammillaria schwarzii
Mammillaria schwarzii
Critically Endangered
#4Mammillaria duwei
Mammillaria duwei
Critically Endangered
#5Mammillaria herrerae
Mammillaria herrerae
Critically Endangered
#6Mammillaria luethyi
Mammillaria luethyi
Vulnerable
#7Mammillaria huitzilopochtli
Mammillaria huitzilopochtli
Critically Endangered
#8Mammillaria bertholdii
Mammillaria bertholdii
Critically Endangered
#9Mammillaria crucigera
Mammillaria crucigera
Endangered
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Mammillaria napina
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Tehuacán Valley, Puebla. Estimated 3,000–6,000 wild individuals. Body almost entirely below ground. Disc-like form unique in the genus.
Score
9.1
3,000–6,000 estimated. Subterranean habit complicates census.
Score
7.5
Rare in trade. Germination unreliable.
$$$
#2
Mammillaria pectinifera
Endangered · IUCN Red List · CITES Appendix I
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Puebla and Oaxaca. 18 fragmented populations. Estimated 15,000–25,000 individuals. Commercial collection confirmed as primary extinction driver.
Score
9
18 populations. Genetic bottlenecks documented.
Score
6.5
Seed-grown available in specialist trade.
$$$
#3
Mammillaria schwarzii
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Querétaro, Mexico. Single known population near Jalpan de Serra. Estimated 2,000–4,000 wild individuals. Heavily covered in white spines forming a distinctive dense mat. Highly sought by collectors for its appearance.
Score
8.8
Single population. Collector pressure documented.
Score
7.0
Occasionally available from specialist sources.
$$$
#4
Mammillaria duwei
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Querétaro, Mexico. Extremely restricted range in dry scrub. Estimated fewer than 1,000 wild individuals. One of the smallest Mammillaria species. Long white spines and yellow flowers distinguish it from related species.
Score
9.3
Under 1,000 individuals. Tiny endemic range.
Score
7.8
Rarely seen in trade. Specialist European collections only.
$$$
#5
Mammillaria herrerae
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Cadereyta, Querétaro, Mexico. Single documented population of approximately 430 individuals. Over 95% of the wild population lost to illegal collection. Dense white pectinate spines covering the entire body made it a prime target for collectors. Among the most critically threatened Mammillaria in the genus.
Score
9.4
~430 individuals documented. 95%+ lost to illegal collection.
Score
7.5
Seed-grown circulate but legitimate material is scarce.
$$$
#6
Mammillaria luethyi
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Coahuila, Mexico. Exact locations kept secret. Estimated several thousand wild individuals. Was a 44-year botanical mystery. Now one of the most widely cultivated Mammillaria worldwide.
Score
7.8
Locations secret. Disclosure would push to Critically Endangered.
Score
1.5
Extremely common in cultivation. Seed widely available.
$
#7
Mammillaria huitzilopochtli
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico. Grows in arid thorn scrub on steep rocky slopes. Estimated 5,000–10,000 wild individuals. Named after the Aztec god of war. Columnar clustering habit distinguishes it from most of the genus.
Score
8.2
Fragmented populations. Habitat degradation ongoing.
Score
6.8
Uncommon in trade. Specialist sources occasionally stock it.
$$
#8
Mammillaria bertholdii
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Oaxaca, Mexico. Described as recently as 2016. Estimated fewer than 2,000 wild individuals in a single restricted area. Compact globose body with distinctive hooked central spines. One of the most recently described Mammillaria species.
Score
9.1
Under 2,000 individuals. Described 2016. Single known area.
Score
8.2
Almost never available. Too recently described to be established in trade.
$$$$
#9
Mammillaria crucigera
Endangered · IUCN Red List
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Puebla and Oaxaca. Estimated 10,000–20,000 wild individuals. Cross-shaped spine pattern gives the species its name. Shares habitat with pectinifera but less severely impacted by collection pressure.
Score
7.6
Endangered. Tehuacán Valley endemic.
Score
6.0
Occasionally available from specialist nurseries.
$$
Astrophytum
3 species shown · CITES Appendix I for A. asterias
#1Astrophytum asterias
Astrophytum asterias
Vulnerable (IUCN) · Endangered (USFWS)
#2Astrophytum caput-medusae
Astrophytum caput-medusae
Endangered
#3Astrophytum coahuilense
Astrophytum coahuilense
Vulnerable
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Astrophytum asterias
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List · Endangered · US Fish and Wildlife Service
Starr County, Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Estimated fewer than 4,000 wild individuals in Texas across three metapopulations. Federally listed as Endangered in the US. Decline attributed to over-collection, poaching, and urban development.
Score
8.8
Under 4,000 in Texas. Federally Endangered in USA.
Score
3.5
Widely cultivated since 1840s. Seed-grown plants available.
$$
#2
Astrophytum caput-medusae
Endangered · IUCN Red List
Nuevo León, Mexico. Discovered 2001. Distinctive snake-like tubercles completely unlike any other Astrophytum. Very restricted range on gypsum. One of the most recently described Astrophytum species.
Score
8.2
Restricted Nuevo León range. Gypsum specialist.
Score
5
Seed-grown available from specialist sources. Unusual appearance drives demand.
$$
#3
Astrophytum coahuilense
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Coahuila, Mexico. Similar to A. myriostigma but with denser white flecking and more restricted range. Estimated tens of thousands of wild individuals but declining from habitat loss and collection.
Score
6.2
Vulnerable. More restricted than myriostigma.
Score
3
Reasonably available. Often sold alongside myriostigma.
$
Echinopsis
3 species shown · CITES Appendix II · collector interest centred on rare forms
#1Echinopsis ancistrophora subsp. ancistrophora
Echinopsis ancistrophora subsp. ancistrophora
Vulnerable
#2Echinopsis pachanoi f. cristata
Echinopsis pachanoi f. cristata
Species: Least Concern
#3Echinopsis chamaecereus f. variegata
Echinopsis chamaecereus f. variegata
Species: Least Concern
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Echinopsis ancistrophora subsp. ancistrophora
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. Rocky mountain slopes at 1,500–3,000m elevation. Estimated population in decline from habitat fragmentation. Among the rarest species-level Echinopsis in the collector trade.
Score
6.5
Vulnerable. Restricted Andean range.
Score
5.5
Specialist sources only. Less commonly offered than most Echinopsis.
$$
#2
Echinopsis pachanoi f. cristata
Species Least Concern · IUCN Red List
Peru and Ecuador. The crested form of San Pedro — a rare naturally occurring mutation producing fan-shaped growth. Cristate Echinopsis of any species command strong collector premiums. Well-grown specimens are genuinely scarce.
Score
3
Parent species common. Cristate form is a rare mutation.
Score
6.5
Large impressive specimens scarce. Smaller examples more available.
$$$
#3
Echinopsis chamaecereus f. variegata
Species Least Concern · IUCN Red List
Argentina. The variegated form of the peanut cactus — chlorophyll-deficient mutations producing yellow and cream sectored growth. Must be grafted to survive. Collector interest driven by unusual appearance.
Score
2
Parent species common. Variegated form is a cultivated mutation.
Score
4.5
Available from specialist nurseries. Requires grafting to persist.
$$
Turbinicarpus
6 species shown · CITES Appendix I · many Critically Endangered (IUCN)
#1Turbinicarpus alonsoi
Turbinicarpus alonsoi
Critically Endangered
#2Turbinicarpus valdezianus
Turbinicarpus valdezianus
Critically Endangered
#3Turbinicarpus boedekerianus
Turbinicarpus boedekerianus
Critically Endangered
#4Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Critically Endangered
#5Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele subsp. krainzianus
Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele subsp. krainzianus
Critically Endangered
#6Turbinicarpus saueri
Turbinicarpus saueri
Endangered
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Turbinicarpus alonsoi
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Xichu, Guanajuato. Single known location. Estimated 500–2,000 wild individuals. Vivid pink flowers large relative to body size. Described 1996.
Score
9.6
500–2,000 estimated. One location only.
Score
7.2
Seed-grown available but uncommon.
$$$
#2
Turbinicarpus valdezianus
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Coahuila, Mexico. Estimated 1,000–3,000 wild individuals. One of the smallest Turbinicarpus. Feathery pectinate spines cover the body completely.
Score
9
1,000–3,000 estimated. Limestone specialist.
Score
6
Available from specialist European nurseries.
$$
#3
Turbinicarpus boedekerianus
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Estimated 1,500–4,000 wild individuals. Distinctive flat-topped body with woolly crown. Very restricted range on limestone.
Score
8.8
1,500–4,000 estimated. Restricted San Luis Potosí range.
Score
5.8
Occasional specialist availability.
$$
#4
Turbinicarpus lophophoroides
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Estimated 2,000–5,000 wild individuals. Spineless adult body resembles Lophophora — distinct from all other Turbinicarpus. Very limited range.
Score
8.7
2,000–5,000 estimated. Very limited range.
Score
5.5
Occasionally available from specialist sources.
$$
Aztekium
3 species · CITES Appendix I · all Critically Endangered (IUCN)
#1Aztekium valdezii
Aztekium valdezii
Critically Endangered
#2Aztekium ritteri
Aztekium ritteri
Critically Endangered
#3Aztekium hintonii
Aztekium hintonii
Critically Endangered
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Aztekium valdezii
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Sierra Madre Oriental, Nuevo León. Habitat ~2km². Estimated fewer than 500 wild individuals. Described 2011. Essentially uncultivated worldwide.
Score
9.7
~500 individuals. No in-situ protection.
Score
9.5
Seed near-impossible to source legally.
$$$$
#2
Aztekium ritteri
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Rayones, Nuevo León. Gypsum canyon walls. Estimated 5,000–10,000 wild individuals. 7–10 years to flowering on own roots.
Score
9
5,000–10,000 estimated. Few canyon systems.
Score
6
Available grafted. Own-root adults scarce.
$$$
#3
Aztekium hintonii
Critically Endangered · IUCN Red List
Galeana, Nuevo León. Gypsum substrate only. Estimated 2,000–6,000 wild individuals. Larger and faster-growing than A. ritteri.
Score
8.5
2,000–6,000 estimated. Gypsum specialist.
Score
4.5
Seed-grown plants circulate in EU and US.
$$
Ferocactus
3 species shown · CITES Appendix II · rarest species shown
#1Ferocactus viridescens
Ferocactus viridescens
Vulnerable
#2Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Near Threatened
#3Ferocactus glaucescens
Ferocactus glaucescens
Least Concern
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Ferocactus viridescens
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List · Rare in California (CNPS)
San Diego County, California and Baja California. One of the most geographically restricted Ferocactus. Threatened by coastal development and urbanisation in California. Listed as rare and threatened by the California Native Plant Society.
Score
7.2
Restricted coastal San Diego and Baja range. Urbanisation threat.
Score
3.5
Available from specialist sources. More findable than rarity suggests.
$$
#2
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Near Threatened · IUCN Red List
Mojave and Colorado Deserts, California, Arizona and Baja. Threatened by illegal collection and habitat clearance for solar and wind development. Sculptural form and striking spines make it highly sought by collectors.
Score
5.5
Near Threatened. Declining from renewable energy development.
Score
2.5
Widely available. Commonly grown as a specimen plant.
$
#3
Ferocactus glaucescens
Least Concern · IUCN Red List
Hidalgo, Mexico. Distinctive blue-grey body with yellow spines. One of the most attractive Ferocactus for collectors. Restricted to limestone hills in central Mexico. Large mature specimens are genuinely impressive.
Score
4
Least Concern but restricted Mexican range.
Score
2
Widely available. Very popular in cultivation.
$
Gymnocalycium
3 species shown · CITES Appendix II · collector value in rare forms and variegates
#1Gymnocalycium buenekeri
Gymnocalycium buenekeri
Vulnerable
#2Gymnocalycium horstii
Gymnocalycium horstii
Vulnerable
#3Gymnocalycium mihanovichii f. variegata
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii f. variegata
Species: Least Concern
#
Species + origin
Wild rarity
Cultivation rarity
Price
#1
Gymnocalycium buenekeri
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Very restricted range in rocky grassland. One of the rarest Gymnocalycium species in the wild. Smaller and slower-growing than most of the genus. Sought by collectors for its restricted provenance.
Score
6.8
Vulnerable. Very restricted Brazilian range.
Score
5.5
Uncommon in trade. Specialist sources required.
$$
#2
Gymnocalycium horstii
Vulnerable · IUCN Red List
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Large flat-bodied Gymnocalycium with showy pink flowers. Threatened by habitat loss from agriculture and urbanisation. One of the larger species in the genus.
Score
6.2
Vulnerable. Declining from habitat loss.
Score
4
Available from specialist sources. Large attractive plants.
$$
#3
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii f. variegata
Species Least Concern · IUCN Red List
Paraguay and Argentina. The true variegated form — sectored yellow and green mutations that retain chlorophyll and survive on own roots, unlike the chlorophyll-free moon cactus cultivars. Genuinely rare in cultivation. High collector value.
Score
2.5
Parent species common. True variegated form is a rare mutation.
Score
7
True own-root variegates are genuinely scarce. High collector demand.
$$$
Rankings run #1 to #N within each genus, with #1 being the rarest species by wild habitat score. Population estimates derived from IUCN Red List species assessments, US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plans, and published conservation biology research. Cultivation rarity reflects seed availability, frequency of appearance in specialist trade, and time required to acquire a quality specimen. Prices reflect mature seed-grown specimen cost in specialist trade as of 2026 and will vary by source, size, and provenance documentation. Rankings updated as new assessments are published.