Using zinc foils as the only starting material, we synthesized one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures (nanorods, nanoneedles and nanowires) in air by zinc vapor condensation method at 500oC.The morphology, structure and photoluminescence of the synthesized one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and spectrophotoscopy. It is found that the size, shape and photo luminescent properties of the one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures depend on the growth time of ZnO in the furnace. Mechanisms on the growth of the nanostructures were discussed, and controllable morphology and photoluminescence of the ZnO nanostructures were achieved by varying the growth time of ZnO in the furnace. It provides a simple, energy-saving and environment benign route to synthesize one dimensional ZnO nanostructures with controllable morphology and emission properties.