Potted Gynura bicolor, Sedum aizoon, Cosmos sulphureus with homemade garden waste (T1), Chinese medicine residue matrix (T2), peat soil (CK1) and yellow loam soil (CK2) respectively, to determine plant growth indicators, physiological and biochemical characteristics, photosynthetic characteristics and the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plant height of Gynura bicolor planted in T1 was 199.84% higher than that in CK1, and the stem growth of Sedum aizoon and Cosmos sulphureus in T1 were respectively 57.05% and 41.51% thicker than that of CK1. Flower numbers per plant of Cosmos sulphureus potted in T2 were respectively 89.75% and 125.14% more than that in CK1 and CK2, and the diameter of single flower was respectively 28.85% and 17.54% more than that in CK1 and CK2. Net photosynthetic rate of Gynura bicolor and Sedum aizoon planted in CK1, T1, and T2 showed no very significant difference, but the net photosynthetic rate in CK1, T1, and T2 were significantly different from that in CK2 (P<0.01). Nitrogen content in T1 planted Sedum aizoon was 14.38% higher than that in CK1, in T2 planted Gynura bicolor was 124.22% higher than that in CK1. Phosphorus content in T2 planted Gynura bicolor was 41.94% higher than CK1. Gynura bicolor and Sedum aizoon planted with T1 or T2 all showed lower potassium content compared to CK1. The two self-made substrates could substitute the traditional substrates for potting Gynura bicolor, Sedum aizoon and Cosmos sulphureus.