The aim of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA) on the growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the Cd‐accumulator plant Stellaria media. Exogenous IBA was applied as a foliar spray to S. media sddelings growing in Cd‐contaminated soil. Statistical analyses of data were conducted using SPSS 13.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Treatment with IBA (50, 75, and 100 mg L−1) increased the root, shoot, and whole plant biomasses of S. media, and also increased the photosynthetic pigment content, antioxidant enzyme activity, soluble protein content, and soluble sugar content of S. media, compared with their respective levels in controls. The maximum values for these parameters were at the 75 mg L−1 IBA treatment. Treatment with 50 mg L−1 IBA increased the Cd content in the roots and shoots of S. media compared with the control. Treatment with 75 mg L−1 IBA increased the amount of Cd extracted by roots and shoots compared with controls. The maximum Cd extraction by roots and shoots was in the 75 mg L−1 IBA treatment. These findings indicated that IBA could promote the growth of S. media, and treatment with 75 mg L−1 IBA effectively could enhance Cd extraction from soil by S. media. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 733–737, 2018