Aztekium hintonii is endemic to the north of the Sierra Madre Oriental, in the municipality of Galeana, Nuevo León.

It lives from 1100 to 1200 m above sea level, on gypsum cliffs with xeric scrub, associated with other cacti (Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria pilispina, Mammillaria winterae, Thelocactus matudae, Neolloydia conoidea) and other plants such as Selaginella gypsophyla and Selaginella lepidophylla.

Minimum average temperature 10 °C in full sun, little water, porous substrate with a high percentage of gypsum (calcium sulfate).

They reproduce through seeds, they are grafted to accelerate their slow growth.

The 10 to 15 very sharp-edged and clearly pronounced ribs have numerous very fine, transverse wrinkles on their flanks.