By using the seeds of Codonopsis pilosula as the experimental material and by cultivating C. pilosula with different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol·L^-1) of ferulic acid (FA) and the growth medium with different volume ratios of attapulgite clay (attapulgite)/vermiculite (0/1, 1/120, 1/80, 1/50 and 1/20) under indoor condition, we analyzed the effects of FA in the growth medium on the seed germination, growth, and chlorophyll fluorescence of C. pilosula, and studied whether the negative effects of FA on C. pilosula could be alleviated by different concentrations of attapulgite presented in the growth medium. The results showed that when the concentration of FA was higher than 1.0 mmol·L-1, the activity of C. pilosula seeds were inhibited and the germination of seeds was delayed. If FA was applied to the growth medium before cultivation, the biomass accumulation and photochemistry reaction of the C. pilosula seedlings were increased by lower concentrations of FA but were decreased by higher concentrations of FA. During the growth period of the seedlings, shortterm treatment with different concentrations of FA also significantly decreased the photochemistry reaction of the seedings. The attapulgite presented with different volume ratios in the growth medium can effectively alleviate the negative effects of higher concentration of FA on C. pilosula during the germination and growth. And, the volume ratio of attapulgite/medium at 1/50 seemed to be the most optimized content in alleviating these negative effects. These results indicate that high concentration of FA in environment can significantly inhibit the seed germination, growth, and photochemical reaction of C. pilosula seedling, while the addition of attapulgite into the medium with appropriate ratio can alleviate the damage of FA that would emerge at different stages during C. pilosula growth.