The cacti of the genera Opuntia and Nopalea belong to the family Cactaceae, which is recognized for its high diversity and remarkable adaptation to arid and semiarid environments. In addition to their morphological and physiological adaptations, these species establish close associations with microorganisms in both endophytic and rhizospheric forms, contributing to their adaptation and resilience under harsh environmental conditions. This study aimed to systematically review the research related to microorganisms associated with Opuntia and Nopalea species, focusing on their ecological roles and potential biotechnological applications. Studies published between 2014 and 2025 were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, using specific descriptors related to rhizospheric and endophytic microorganisms. The results revealed a scarcity of studies on Nopalea and a predominance of research on Opuntia. The main bacterial species identified belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteria, while Ascomycota was the predominant fungal phylum. These findings reinforce the crucial role of the cactus microbiome in semiarid ecosystems and highlight the importance of studies integrating omics approaches to support the development of bioinoculants and sustainable agricultural practices in environments under hydric and edaphic stress.