Toxic contaminants from intense industrial operations are entering wetlands, harming human health and biodiversity. Macrophytes serve as principal producers in aquatic environments including natural wetlands, providing shelter, food, and, most crucially, intricate relationships with the surrounding microbial assemblage for support and microorganisms attachment. Wetlands have been nature's kidneys, for filtering water. Recent research has examined macrophytes' phytoremediation abilities. With recent improvements focused on engineered wetland technology, microbiological characterization, and genetic engineering, phytoremediation strategies have also benefited. However, little research has examined the role surrounding microbial population play on macrophyte efficiency in pollutant degradation, the extent and even mechanisms of these interactions, and their potential utility in wastewater treatment of diverse industrial effluents. Our bid for greener solutions implies that macrophyte-microorganisms’ interspecific interactions for in situ treatment of effluents should be optimised to remove contaminants before discharge in natural waterbodies or for recycle water usage. This review provides for the varied types of plants and microbial interspecific interactions beneficial to effective phytoremediation processes in artificial wetland design as well as considerations and modifications in constructed wetland designs necessary to improve the bioremediation processes. Additionally, the review discusses the latest advancements in genetic engineering techniques that can enhance the effectiveness of phyto-assisted wastewater treatment. We will also explore the potential utilisation of invasive species for their demonstrated ability to remove pollutants in the controlled setting of constructed wetlands.

Salicornia is a genus of salt-tolerant plants capable of growing and producing biomass under conditions that severely constrain conventional agriculture. Beyond its ecological niche as a halophyte, Salicornia has emerged as a multifunctional crop for sustainable food, feed, and bio-based production in saline landscapes. The increasing generation of saline wastewaters and brines from aquaculture, municipal treatment, agro-industrial activities, and greenhouse systems intensifies the need for natural solutions that can recover resources while protecting soils and receiving ecosystems. This review synthesizes current understanding of how Salicornia species perform when irrigated with saline wastewaters, with particular attention to their dual role as productive crops and phytoremediation agents. It further examines the biological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance and the influence of wastewater characteristics on biomass production and phytoremediation performance. Overall, the evidence indicates that Salicornia performs particularly well in nutrient-rich, controlled saline effluents, whereas more complex wastewater matrices require careful contaminant management to ensure biomass quality and safe reuse. This synthesis positions Salicornia as a fundamental species for circular and climate-resilient strategies linking saline wastewater reuse with crop production, while emphasizing that standardized reporting, long-term field validation, and contaminant-aware biomass management remain essential to support wider adoption.