<p>Heavy metal contamination poses serious threats to environmental and human health, with concentrations often exceeding safe limits in many regions. Effective remediation of soil and water is crucial for restoring ecosystem services and maintaining ecological balance. Conventional physical and chemical methods, while sometimes effective, face challenges including high costs, labour intensity, safety risks, and secondary pollution. Consequently, phytoremediation has gained attention as an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative for detoxifying heavy metals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of phytoremediation, focusing on the capabilities of various plant groups. It emphasizes the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in metal uptake, transport, and cellular detoxification. The study also highlights non-edible plants from ornamental, aquatic, and invasive categories that are prized for their high metal tolerance, fast growth, and adaptability. These traits make them ideal for large-scale use without contaminating the food chain. Additionally, the role of biochar produced from organic feedstocks and microbial amendments, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR/PGPB), are discussed for their capacity to enhance phytoremediation efficacy. These combined strategies offer a green and scalable solution for heavy metal cleanup. Future research should prioritize long-term field trials, optimization of plant-amendment combinations, and establishment of pilot projects under real-world conditions. Evaluating economic viability and carbon sequestration potential will further support the widespread adoption of these sustainable remediation approaches.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>