Physico-chemical properties of broken bricks (BB) were determined, as well as its phosphorus adsorption ability. The results showed that BB was appropriate for enrichment of microorganisms and growth of plants as filter medium in CWs, in addition, BB had high phosphorus adsorption ability. A vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSSF) filled with BB was constructed in order to investigate the phosphorus removal effect of domestic sewage, and the phosphorus removal mechanism of VSSF was also explored. The results showed that the phosphorus removal rate of VSSF was more than 90%, which remained stable when the hydraulic loading rate was 5 cm x d(-1) and the running time was 1 a; adsorption and precipitation within BB played the greatest role in phosphorus removal; distribution characteristics of total phosphorus in the filter media were attributed to the vertical flow state of wastewater in the system, besides, the contents and chemical forms of elements which could precipitate with phosphorus should be principal factors for the phosphorus removal processes of BB. Therefore, BB might be an ideal filter medium used in CWs.