Atmospheric particulate matter has become one of the most severe air pollution challenges in China in recent years, posing significant threats to environmental quality, public health, and sustainable development. As natural air filters, plants play a crucial role in mitigating particulate pollution by capturing and retaining airborne particles on their surfaces. However, the dust retention efficiency of plants is influenced by a complex interplay of factors operating across multiple scales. This paper provides a comprehensive review of these factors, elucidating their coupling effects and synergistic interactions. At the leaf scale, the microstructure of the leaf surface-including trichomes, surface roughness, stomatal density, and wax layer composition-significantly impacts particle adhesion. Additionally, leaf morphology (size, shape, and hydrophilicity), ground clearance, longevity, and biochemical properties (e.g., surface chemistry and electrostatic properties) further determine dust retention efficiency. For instance, rough and hairy leaf surfaces tend to capture more particles, while hydrophobic leaves may resist particle wash-off during rainfall. At the individual plant and community scales, plant species, canopy architecture (e.g., branching pattern, leaf area index, and crown density), and vegetation composition (monoculture vs. mixed planting) influence dust retention capacity. Dense, multi-layered canopies with diverse plant forms enhance particle interception, while plant height and spatial arrangement affect airflow and particle deposition patterns. External environmental factors such as meteorological conditions (rainfall, wind speed, temperature, and humidity) modulate dust retention by altering particle adhesion and resuspension dynamics. For example, rainfall can cleanse leaves but may also redistribute particles, while high winds may dislodge accumulated dust. The physicochemical properties of particulate matter-such as particle size distribution, chemical composition, and hygroscopicity-also affect how particles interact with plant surfaces. Seasonal variations and pollution levels further influence ambient particle concentrations, indirectly shaping plant dust retention performance. The dust retention capacity of plants emerges from the cross-scale coupling of micro (leaf), meso (plant/community), and macro (environmental) factors. Optimizing urban green space planning-through strategic species selection, canopy structure design, and vegetation configuration-can maximize the dust removal potential of plants. This review also summarizes common methodologies for quantifying particulate matter retention on plants, including gravimetric analysis, microscopy, and remote sensing techniques. Future research should focus on: (1) multi-scale mechanistic studies of particle-plant interactions, (2) dynamic recovery mechanisms of dust retention after rain or wind events, (3) optimized plant community design for enhanced air purification, (4) precision experiments and integrated modeling of dust retention processes, and (5) development of artificial intervention technologies (e.g., biomimetic surfaces or chemical treatments). Advancing these areas will deepen understanding across the "mechanism-application-regulation" chain, providing scientific foundations for ecological haze control and precision urban greening strategies. By systematically analyzing these factors, this study aims to support evidence-based urban planning and green infrastructure development, ultimately contributing to improved air quality and ecosystem services in polluted regions.