As the alkaline soil used in this study was heavily contaminated with Cd and Zn, it is very difficult to reduce soil heavy metal contents to below the safe limits in a short time by this strategy of phytoextraction. Thus, we chose ornamental plant (non-food cultivar of sunflower) to reduce heavy metal threat to food chain. Sunflower itself can grow well in alkaline soil. This can achieve maximum utilization of limited land resources, and increase the local farms’ income by selling flowers.