This paper is the result of agricultural geological survey engineering. Objective Cadmium pollution in soil has become an important environmental issue concerned both at home and abroad. This paper focuses on the research status and development direction of cadmium pollution in soil and plants and the remediation technology, and tries to provide help for the related theoretical research and production practice. Methods Based on consulting a large number of literature related to cadmium pollution in soil and plants and the remediation technology, the harm of cadmium, the current situation of cadmium pollution in soil, the influence mechanism of cadmium on plants, the mechanism of migration and transformation of cadmium from soil to the plant system and the remediation technology have been systematically introduced and objectively reviewed. Results Soil cadmium pollution in China shows a trend of diversified development, Cadmium pollution has been found in cultivated land, woodland, grassland, in both gardens and unused land, especially in cultivated land. Cadmium has a significant impact on plant growth and development, antioxidant enzyme activity, photosynthesis and respiration. The migration of cadmium from soil to plant systems is mainly in the form of cadmium ions and clathrate, related to the interface process, in virtue of the carrier and channel to achieve. The remediation technology can be divided into chemical and biological categories, mainly includes biochar, mineral materials, organic fertilizers, microorganisms, plants, animals and combined restoration technology. Conclusions Cadmium has great harmfulness and the cadmium pollution is still a serious problem for farmland soil in China. The effects on plants and migration and transformation of cadmium in soil plant systems involve multiple mechanisms. Kinds of the remediation technology for cadmium pollution in farmland soil has its own principles and advantages, and the joint remediation technology has a good development prospect. Continuous efforts in theoretical and practical research must be made on cadmium pollution in soil and plants and the remediation technology, to build an effective cadmium pollution prevention and control technology system to ensure the safe production of food.