Biosorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions onto the Eclipta alba stem powder (EAS) was investigated in a batch system. The biosorbent was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental analysis. Adsorption influencing factors like pH, adsorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration and contact time were investigated. The adsorption mechanism of Pb(II) and Ni(II) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R-2 > 0.998). The Langmuir isotherm model fitted well and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of the sorbent for Pb(II) and Ni(II) was found to be 66.2 +/- 1.9 mg g(-1) and 62.5 +/- 1.8 mg g(-1,) respectively. Desorption and recovery were carried out using dilute HCl solution.