The effects of different cadmium levels（0,200,400,600 mg/L）on stem diameter,height,weight of hundred leaves,weight of stems and flowers,malondialdehyde (MDA),relative conductivity (REC),superoxide dismutase (SOD),peroxidase (POD),catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX),as well as photosynthetic parameters (Chl a+b,Pⁿ,G^s,T^r,WUE) were studied in six marigold cultivars.The results showed that:(1)No reduction in the stem diameter and height were noted when the plants were grown at Cd²⁺ supply levels up to 400 mg/L.However,fresh weight of hundred leaves stems and flowers of all cultivars were decreased with the increase of Cd²⁺ concentrations.Moreover,‘Great Hero’ and ‘Durango’were more sensitive than other cultivars.(2)MDA and REC were increased gradually as Cd²⁺ concentration increasing.However,the activities of antioxidative enzymes significantly changed with the increasing of Cd²⁺ concentrations from 0 to 600 mg/L.(3)Cadmium stress also caused Chl a+b and Chl a/b decrease,especially in Cd stress-sensitive cultivars.Moreover,Net photosynthetic rate decreased significantly under Cd stress,while the decrease of stomatal conductance (G^s),transpiration rate (T^r) and WUE were little.It was concluded that there was significant different response to Cd among marigold cultivars.The physiological characteristics of marigold responding to Cd might be important factors for the tolerance of cultivars.The photosynthetic efficiency and activities of antioxidative enzymes in sensitive cultivars were all decreased under Cd stress,which may cause lipid peroxidation to increase.In summary,‘Janie’and ‘Gate gold’had adaptation mechanism to Cd stress.The two cultivars are recommended for the heavy metal contaminated soils.