It is native to southwestern South America and is endemic to a small area of central Chile between 32°S and 35°S in southern Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago, O'Higgins, and northern Maule regions.

In its area of natural distribution, young Jubaeas tend to grow near adult specimens, preferring also sunny and vegetated sites.

[7] A hollow (but living) Jubaea in the Ocoa Valley near La Campana National Park, Chile, is 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) thick at its base, with no apparent taper in the lower trunk.

[8] The largest individual specimen of indoor plant in the world was the Jubaea chilensis at Kew Gardens, which was cut off by staff in 2014 because it grew to the top of its greenhouse.

[11]In 1843, a specimen was grown from seed at Kew Gardens, London, England, and was moved into the Temperate House in 1863, eventually growing to 19 metres (62 ft).