Urban riverfronts, as integral components of the urban built environment, serve as essential blue–green infrastructure that offers restorative opportunities to residents in high-density areas. However, the mechanisms through which specific spatial qualities influence well-being outcomes remain underexplored. Guided by Attention Restoration Theory (ART) and Stress Recovery Theory (SRT), this study investigates the associations among spatial perception, perceived restorativeness, environmental sensitivity, and subjective well-being along the Yangtze Riverfront in Nanjing, China. A cross-sectional survey (N = 551) was conducted across six riverfront segments, using a 96-item questionnaire to assess five spatial perception dimensions, four restorativeness dimensions, and four well-being dimensions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results indicate that spatial perception is positively associated with perceived restorativeness (β = 0.320, p < 0.001), with aesthetic perception demonstrating the strongest relative contribution (β = 0.265). Perceived restorativeness, in turn, significantly contributes to well-being (β = 0.540, p < 0.001), partially mediating the relationship between spatial perception and well-being (indirect effect (β = 0.173; 41.69% of total effect). Notably, environmental sensitivity moderated the spatial–restorative link (β = 0.799, p < 0.001), with restorative benefits being significantly amplified for individuals with higher sensitivity. These findings highlight aesthetics, accessibility, and perceived safety as priority targets for urban design. This study offers actionable insights for optimizing riverfront landscapes as vital urban health resources.

As global urbanization accelerates, biophilic urbanism has emerged as a key nature-based strategy for enhancing public health. While plants are critical active agents for psychological restoration, the specific pathways through which vegetation characteristics influence human–environment interactions remain fragmented. This knowledge gap hinders the evidence-based translation of biophilic principles into actionable urban design and governance. This study conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis of 443 peer-reviewed articles (2000–2025) at the intersection of restorative landscapes, urban settings, and plant-based interventions retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Employing multiple visualization tools (VOSviewer, bibliometrix, and CiteSpace), we map publication trends, international collaborations, and thematic evolution. The results demonstrate a significant shift in the field, moving beyond the validation of foundational restorative theories (e.g., ART and SRT) to a more precise, implementation-oriented framework. This shift is characterized by the operationalization of vegetation attributes as controllable design variables, increasingly relating biophilic principles to broader nature-based solutions (NbS) agendas and evidence-informed urban governance. Thematic clustering analysis identified three core knowledge domains: (1) the role of plants as active exposure agents and behavioral mediators in psychological restoration; (2) the impact of specific plant characteristics—such as canopy structure, species diversity, and seasonal variation—on therapeutic outcomes; and (3) the integration of urban green spaces into broader governance frameworks to promote health equity and inclusive well-being. Our analysis highlights that plant-based interventions are evolving from aesthetic ornaments into precision design levers for fostering human–nature interactions. This study provides a science-based foundation for developing practical design guidelines and policy frameworks, shifting biophilic urbanism toward a robust governance strategy for creating equitable, restorative, and resilient cities.