To investigate the background characteristics of plant diversity within the distinctive biological and cultural landscape of temple gardens in the suburbs of Shanghai, and to assess their ecological and cultural value amid rapid urbanization, this study selected six representative temples in the Fengxian District, Shanghai. Employing phytocoenology as the primary method, the research systematically examined and analyzed the plant communities present. The results showed that: (1) A total of 78 species of vascular plants were documented, encompassing 45 families and 64 genera, mainly dicotyledonous plants; native plants accounted for 64.1% of the total species. Ginkgo biloba, Osmanthus fragrans, Cinnamomum camphora, and other tree species are the most abundant. (2) The species richness and Simpson diversity index of the temple garden were signifi cantly higher than those of the temple, indicating that, as an affi liated green space for sightseeing and meditation, its plant confi guration was richer, and the hierarchical structure was more reasonable. (3) The Pielou evenness index of each tree layer and shrub layer was high, indicating that the individual number distribution of diff erent species in the community was relatively uniform. (4) The Jaccard similarity index of plant communities between temples was low (0.220~0.429), indicating that the plant confi guration of each temple had distinct characteristics and high spatial heterogeneity. Compared with temples in Nanjing and Luoyang, the plant diversity of temple gardens in Fengxian District is high. For the fi rst time, this study systematically revealed the plant diversity characteristics of temple gardens in Fengxian District and identifi ed the distinct patterns of temple gardens and temple courtyards. The results can provide a scientifi c basis and practical guidance for plant landscape optimization, native species protection, and the inheritance of religious culture in this kind of religious and cultural heritage site.