Abstract: To determine the optimal phosphorus need of Phoebe bournei seedlings, a pot trial was conducted with fertilization at levels of 0,7.5,15,22.5,30,40,60,90 mg per seedling. And the growth characteristics and foliar nutrient status of Ph. bournei seedlings were measured. The results indicated that:(1)Height and total biomass of Ph. bournei seedlings displayed growth-stability, with the increase of phosphorus supply,the ground diameter firstly went up, then was stable, finally decreased.(2)The leaf N and P concentrations grew up, but K display accelerated then went down as the phosphorus addition increased. The total dry biomass did not significantly change when phosphorus was above 22.5 mg per plant. So it suggested that the N, P and K were luxury consumed.(3)The critical values of N, P and K in leaf of Phoebe bournei seedlings were 16.04, 1.36 and 21.93 g/kg, respectively,while their optimum concentration range were 16.04-27.45,1.36-3.01 and 21.93-36.40 g/kg,respectively. Therefore,the optimal phosphorus amount for Ph. bournei seedlings might be 22.5-30.0 mg per seedling.