The joint effect on the growth of wheat seedlings under Cd(2+) stress (0, 0.5 mmol L(-1)) and [C2mim][OAc] with a series of concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L(-1)) was investigated. Physiological characteristics including superoxide dismutases, peroxidases, catalase and malondialdehyde were studied in hydroponic and soil cultures. Results indicated that, compared to samples treated under Cd(2+) stress alone, joint treatment groups showed Cd(2+) stress was mitigated by ionic liquid at appropriate concentrations (≤ 400 mg L(-1) in hydroponic treatments and ≤ 300 mg L(-1) in soil culture treatments). Use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy showed less Cd(2+) in organelles in the joint treatment group. This phenomenon could be due to [C2mim][OAc] forming metal complexes with Cd(2+), thus reducing the amount of free Cd(2+) available for absorption by the seedlings.