[2][3] It is found in the Andes from southern Colombia (departments of Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Huila, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander and Tolima) to Venezuela, where it typically occurs in the transition zone of high Andean forests and páramo vegetation.

Other reported names for the plant include "amargoso" in Sumapaz, "ayubara" in the Páramo de las Papas, Cauca, "chilco" in El Cocuy, Boyacá, La Calera, Cundinamarca and Angostura, Antioquia and "chilco amargo" in Soacha, Cundinamarca.

[6][7] To the north on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Cárpatos forest reserve of Guasca, Cundinamarca, the plant is one of the most abundant in the higher elevation areas, dominated by Weinmannia pinnata and Miconia theaezans.

[8] Ageratina tinifolia is the most dominant species in the northeastern part of the Llano de Paletará, Coconuco, Cauca.

[9] The plant is also abundant in the El Volcán forest reserve of Pamplona, Norte de Santander.