Aims <p>This study aimed to investigate the phytoremediation potential of five faba bean (<i>Vicia faba</i> L.) cultivars, including Shami, Saraziri, Aljazayeri, Histal, and Barekat, under irrigation with urban wastewater effluent. The experiment was performed as a two-year factorial in a Randomized Complete Block design with three replications in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 growing seasons.</p> Methods <p>Here, key physiological, biochemical, and phytoremediation parameters, including bioaccumulation factor (BAC), translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration coefficient (BFC), along with comprehensive evaluations for metal uptake, root accumulation, translocation of heavy metals, and residual heavy metal concentrations in the soil were conducted for zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd).</p> Results <p>The Shami cultivar consistently outperformed others, with Zn bioaccumulation and Zn translocation factor values above 1 in leaf, stem, and grain tissues, indicating phytoextractor-type behavior primarily associated with high translocation efficiency rather than classical hyperaccumulation. Conversely, Cd translocation factors for leaf, stem, and grain remained below 1 across all cultivars, while substantial Cd retention in roots reflected predominant phytostabilization behavior, particularly in Shami and Barekat cultivars. The mentioned cultivars also markedly reduced residual Cd and Zn in the soil samples. Physiological and biochemical analyses, including chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids, leaf proline, grain protein, and antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., CAT and SOD, which were measured exclusively in leaf tissues), reflected cultivar-specific stress responses rather than direct mechanistic drivers of metal uptake. Notably, stress indicators intensified during the second year, accompanied by declines in chlorophyll and protein levels and increased antioxidant activity, suggesting cumulative metal stress under prolonged wastewater irrigation.</p> Conclusions <p>Overall, Shami showed the highest phytoremediation performance, characterized by efficient Zn translocation and effective Cd root sequestration, followed by Barekat. In contrast, the Histal cultivar exhibited comparatively lower performance despite some stabilization capacity. The observed TF and BCF patterns indicate that Shami and Barekat function as high-biomass accumulator cultivars with strong Zn translocation efficiency and effective Cd root sequestration. Given the food-crop status of faba bean and the potential risks associated with long-term wastewater irrigation, these findings support the use of selected cultivars primarily in non-food phytoremediation systems under controlled and monitored conditions rather than as dual-purpose food crops.</p>