The hitherto studies on the effect of cadmium on plants have shown that it causes intensification of two types of unfavorable processes in plants: inactivation of macromolecules and cellular structures and induction of oxidative stress. In response, the plant organism activates processes restoring its homeostasis, i.e. those which remove reversible and irreversible changes. In removing the former a particular role is played by the antioxidative system containing enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, and removing the active forms of oxygen. The strategy of stress tolerance plays an important role in the plant resistance to cadmium and other toxic metals.