<p>Industrial activities are major contributors to atmospheric contamination, adversely affecting local vegetation and ecosystem health. Green plants, particularly native species, can serve as effective bio-indicators and phyto-remediators of environmental pollution. The present study assessed the air pollution tolerance and adaptive responses of six native plant species—<i>Calotropis procera</i>, <i>Aerva javanica</i>, <i>Capparis spinosa</i>, <i>Solanum surratense</i>, <i>Salsola imbricata</i>, and <i>Tribulus terrestris</i>—growing around the Industrial Estate of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. Plants were analyzed for foliar dust deposition, heavy metal accumulation, growth, physio-biochemical parameters, and anatomical traits. Results revealed a substantial increase in foliar dust and heavy metal concentrations at polluted sites, confirming the suitability of these species as bioindicators. <i>C. procera</i> exhibited the highest dust and metal accumulation (Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni), while <i>S. imbricata</i> accumulated the greatest Zn content, indicating species-specific uptake capacities. Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Pollution Index (API) values identified <i>A. javanica</i> and <i>C. procera</i> as pollution-tolerant species, whereas <i>C. spinosa</i>, <i>S. surratense</i>, <i>S. imbricata</i>, and <i>T. terrestris</i> were classified as sensitive. Growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, and biomass, declined significantly under polluted conditions, with <i>A. javanica</i> and <i>C. procera</i> maintaining superior performance. Physio-biochemical analyses showed reductions in total soluble proteins, sugars, and pigments in most species, while <i>C. spinosa</i> and <i>S. surratense</i> exhibited elevated osmolyte accumulation, higher antioxidant activity, and greater relative water content—indicating enhanced physiological resilience. Anatomical assessments revealed notable variations: <i>C. procera</i> maintained thicker vascular and storage tissues and increased stomatal density, signifying structural adaptability to dust stress, while <i>T. terrestris</i> and <i>S. imbricata</i> displayed reduced tissue thickness and greater sensitivity. Overall, the integrated assessment of morphological, biochemical, and anatomical traits demonstrates that <i>C. procera</i> and <i>A. javanica</i> are highly tolerant and well-suited for greenbelt establishment and phytoremediation programs in industrial zones. In contrast, <i>C. spinosa</i>, <i>S. surratense</i>, <i>S. imbricata</i>, and <i>T. terrestris</i> may serve as sensitive bioindicators for long-term air quality monitoring and ecosystem health assessment.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>