The objective of this research was the study of research on the photosynthetic characteristics of four kinds of medicinal plants, to provide a reliable reference for the high quality cultivation of these four plants. Methods: the four kinds of medicinal plants were as the experimental materials. The photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, carotenoid content and photosynthesis of four medicinal plants were determined. The effects of net photosynthetic rate on photosynthetic effective radiation were studied, and the water use efficiency and transpiration rate were calculated. Results: through the comparison of net photosynthetic rate, it can be seen that the average photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and carotene content of the four medicinal plants are very different in the growing season. Conclusion: Platycodon grandiflorum has a wide range of adaptability to light intensity. It can not only utilize intense light efficiently, but also has shade tolerance. It is suggested to be cultivated in an intense light environment; North Atractylodes has high light utilization rate, but poor shade tolerance, it is suitable for cultivation in direct sunlight environment; Carthamustinctorious and Menthahaplocalyxhas have strong shade tolerance, but are not resistant to intense light, and can adopt intercropping.