[Background] As China transitions from rapid urbanization to high-quality development, urban construction characterized by high density encounters the signifi cant challenge of simultaneously optimizing ecological services and resident well-being. Urban green spaces, though limited, are crucial resources that foster sustainable coexistence between humans and nature by aligning ecological improvements with human welfare. Nevertheless, current research presents notable gaps: ecological biodiversity studies largely concentrate on objective metrics and neglect exploration of human-environment interactions, while landscape planning and design often concentrate on spatial design principles and overlook quantitative assessment of human perceptual feedback mechanisms. Gibson’s theory of ecological perception off ers a fresh perspective on the dynamic interaction between humans and plant environments, yet its application in the fi eld of landscape architecture remains underdeveloped. [Objective] This study aims to provide a systematic review of ecological perception research on plant diversity in urban green spaces. This review will address three principal issues: (1) elucidating and diff erentiating key concepts and categories pertinent to this domain; (2) summarizing and refi ning relevant research approaches and quantitative assessment techniques; (3) analyzing emerging research trends and prospective directions to support evidence-based design. [Methods] This study adopted a systematic literature review methodology to retrieve and screen empirical research literature in Chinese and English published between January 2011 and December 2025 in the Web of Science and CNKI databases. Following a rigorous screening process, 145 qualifying studies (comprising 15 in Chinese and 130 in English) were ultimately included for indepth analysis. The analysis dimensions encompassed conceptual frameworks, research status, quantitative indicators, and future trends. Concurrently, methods such as keyword co-occurrence analysis and clustering analysis were employed to reveal research hotspots and knowledge structures. [Results] (1) Research Hotspots and Evolutionary Trends: The analysis indicates that research within this domain has established a coherent knowledge framework, with focal points transitioning from early objective ecological quality assessments (e.g., ecosystem services) toward human-centered experiences and perceived benefi ts (e.g., health, recovery). Research pathways demonstrate an evolutionary progression of “ecological attributes-human perception-health benefi ts,” using NCP (Nature’s Contributions toPeople) as a theoretical bridge to emphasize the intangible contributions of perceptions of biodiversity to human well-being. International research is more mature, whereas domestic research, though it began later, is developing rapidly. (2) Quantitative Indicator System: The study systematically summarized traditional evaluation indicators for plant diversity derived from relevant literature and identifi ed those pertinent to ecological perception assessment. Traditional metrics encompass ecological indicators, landscape perspective indicators, and acoustic indicators. Ecological perception metrics are categorized into four domains: sensory perception, landscape preference, restorative benefi ts, and emotional behavior. Correlation analysis methods primarily include correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and machine learning algorithms to reveal complex relationships between objective indicators and ecological perceptions. (3) Research Framework Formation: It has been clarifi ed that the ecological perception of plant diversity is a dynamic human-environment interaction process. A preliminary research framework has been established, spanning from ecological foundations to human perception, then to health benefi t outcomes, ultimately guiding planning and design. [Conclusion] This paper provides a systematic review to clarify the conceptual framework, methodological system, and development trends in ecological perception research on plant diversity in urban green spaces. The fi eld has demonstrated characteristics of multidisciplinary integration and has established preliminary quantitative evaluation methods. However, further research is needed to refi ne green space typologies, integrate multisensory mechanisms, track dynamic processes, and translate fi ndings into planning and design applications. Future research should focus on refi ned analysis, quantifi cation of dynamic perception, and strengthening evidence-based design principles. This will facilitate the eff ective translation of research fi ndings into planning practices, thereby providing theoretical foundations and practical pathways for constructing urban green spaces that deliver both high ecological value and enhanced human well-being.