Ariocarpus fissuratus plants grow from 500 to 1500 metres above sea level in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, and Zacatecas, and extend in Presidio County, Texas to southeast along the Pecos River and Rio Grande. They grow in dry limestone soil on low rocky hills. The plants are hard to find as they are greyish-green and well camouflaged with the soil surface resembling limestone chips. In dry season the taproot remains alive, but the plants shrink and hide covered by stones. Although there are still many plants in nature, this species is set on CITES I list of endangered species due to illegal collection.