In order to investigate effect of coking wastewater (CW) on the growth and energy production of wetland plant species, cress (C), felon herb (FH), cockspur grass (CG), water shield (WS), and bracken fern (BF) were used to purify the CW. Results showed that high concentration of CW caused decreased photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and relative growth rate. C, WS, and BF showed higher adaptability than FH and CG. Below a CW concentration of 30%, growth of C, WS, and BF was less affected. Energy recovery of C, WS, and BF were more favorable when they grew in CW.