Under the dual pressures of rapid urbanization and global climate change, natural habitats continue to degrade. Spontaneous plants, with their remarkable ecological adaptability and restoration potential, are increasingly recognized by academia as a key resource for ecological restoration. Visual analysis based on Web of Science and CNKI data reveals: (1) International research preceded domestic studies, with publication volumes fluctuating upward, while domestic literature experienced rapid growth after 2019. (2) Brazil leads in international publications, while France holds the strongest influence. (3) Research institutes dominate international studies, whereas universities spearhead domestic research, with limited international collaboration. (4) From 2003 to 2009, international research focused on community succession and brownfield habitat diversity; from 2010 to 2019, studies expanded to heavy metal remediation and ecosystem services. From 2020 to the present, while continuing biodiversity research, attention has further shifted to spontaneous plant landscapes and their multifunctionality. Domestically, studies before 2015 primarily addressed weed control and diversity surveys; from 2015 to 2019, the concept of spontaneous plants emerged, with research focusing on spontaneous plant composition and diversity; from 2020 to the present, research has expanded to explore landscape application potential and ecological value, with low-maintenance, near-natural landscapes becoming a hot topic. (5) Both domestic and international research emphasize the biodiversity and brownfield remediation value of spontaneous plants, acknowledging that reduced human intervention promotes ecological restoration. However, international studies place greater emphasis on ecological benefits, while domestic research is more systematic in the breadth of habitat surveys. In terms of research focus, international studies delve deeper into the agricultural sector, covering crop enhancement, while domestic research primarily focuses on landscape application potential.