Effects of single and complex pollution of CTAB and cadmium on the growth and physiological and biochemical indices of Chinese sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) seedlings were studied by means of pot planting experiments. The results showed that lower concentrations(0.1-5g/kg) of CTAB could promote the growth of Chinese sweetgum, while CTAB was harmful to Chinese sweetgum seedlings under higher concentrations (0.5-2g/kg). The growth of Chinese sweetgum seedlings was seriously inhibited in the soil with Cd²⁺ concentration of 100mg/kg. The plant height, dry weight, chlorophyll content and SOD、POD、CAT activities of leaves increased first, then decreased with increasing CTAB concentrations in the same Cd²⁺ polluted soil. Compared with that during the fast-growing stage, total chlorophyll content dropped significantly at the end of growth stage. Moreover, SOD and POD activities of leaves at the end of growth stage were lower than those during the fast-growing stage due to a long time of stress; MDA accumulation quantity of leaves increased over time.