Puya ibischii is only known from a narrow canyon that connects Yungas cloud forest habitats with the humid Puna grasslands, between 2900 and 3300 m elevation. The climate is rather humid and cold, and frost occasionally occurs. Another new species, Puya pizarroana Vasquez, Ibisch & Beck (Vasquez et al. 2003). was recently found in the same ecoregion, in the department of La Paz department. Puya ibischii is sympatric with P. tristis L.B. Sm. (3200 m), P. raimondii Harms (3200-3600 m), P. humilis Mez (3200 m), P. atra L.B. Sm. (2500-2900 m), P. secunda L.B. Sm. and P. ferruginea (Ruiz & Pav.) L.B. Sm. (1800-1850 m). —SeeJ. Bromeliad Soc.
