Abstract: The adsorption of cadmium from aqueous solution with a plant waste particularly Lalang or Imperata cylindrica (IC) leaf powder was investigated. The effect of various operating variables mainly adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dose, adsorbent size, temperature and pH was studied. The adsorption of Cd2+ ions increased with increase in pH, temperature, adsorbent dose and decrease in adsorbent size. Adsorption was rapid and occurred within 15 min for cadmium concentration of 1 mg L-1 and 30 min for cadmium concentrations of 2 and 5 mg L-1. The kinetic process of Cd2+ adsorption onto IC leaf powder was found to fit the pseudo-second-order rate equation.