Salidroside, a kind of natural herb, has the advantages of a wide range of anti-tumor activities with low toxicity and high efficiency. A large number of studies have shown that salidroside can inhibit the proliferation of tumors in different ways and achieve the goal of treating tumors. After summary and analysis of the recent research on anti-tumor mechanisms of salidroside, it can be concluded that salidroside could suppress cancer proliferation by blocking cell cycle, promoting cell differentiation, inducing cell apoptosis or autophagy, and regulating the signal pathways of cancer cells.