【Objective】 We examined the effects of selenium (Se) on the growth and physiological characteristics of tea plants subjected to cadmium (Cd) based on a culture solution experiment, the findings of which will provide a theoretical basis for ensuring the safety of tea drinking and the comprehensive development and utilization of tea. 【Method】 As experimental material, we used ‘Longjing 43’tea trees leaves planted in the Hanzhong area of Shaanxi Province, China, which were exposed to the following seven combinations of Cd and Se in 1/2 Hoagland solution: 10 mg/L Cd, 0.5 mg/L Se, 1.5 mg/L Se, 3.0 mg/L Se, 0.5 mg/L Se + 10.0 mg/L Cd, 1.5 mg/L Se + 10.0 mg/L Cd, and 3.0 mg/L Se + 10.0 mg/L Cd. Following treatment, we determined the physiological responses associated with the alleviation of Cd toxicity in tea leaves treated with different concentrations of Se (0.5-3.0 mg/L), and measured the biomass of tea leaves, and the concentrations of Se and Cd in these leaves. 【Result】 Compared with the control treatment without either Cd or Se addition, the treatment with Cd alone promoted a significant decrease in the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase(APX) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)], biomass, and the concentrations of soluble sugars and soluble protein in tea leaves, whereas the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and proline were significantly increased. In samples treated with Se alone, the above indices (e.g. biomass, and the concentrations of soluble sugars, soluble protein, and photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes activities in tea leaves) were significantly improved to differing extents compared with the Cd only treatment, particularly in response to treatment with 1.5 mg/L. In the combined Cd and Se treatments, we noted that the indices were improved to varying degrees in response to increases in Se concentration compared with the Cd only treatment, with the most pronounced improvement being obtained in response to the combined treatment of 1.5 mg/L Se + 10.0 mg/L Cd. The application of selenium reduced the accumulation of cadmium in tea leaves.【Conclusion】 To differing extents, the addition of an appropriate amount of Se can increase the activities of CAT, APX and GPX induced by Cd in tea leaves, reduce the accumulation of MDA and H₂O₂, and alleviate Cd toxicity.