[Objective] To study the selection of rain garden plant in North He'nan Province, in order to provide theoretical support for the construction of rainwater garden and sponge city. [Methods] We investigated the 29 typical rain garden plants in the sponge city of Hebi and An'yang City in He'nan Province. Rain garden plants were comprehensively evaluated by analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and the evaluation system was constructed from three criterion layers and 9 index levels. [Results] Drought resistance, humidity resistance, greening and beautifying characteristics, decontamination and pollution reduction ability showed important influences on the selection of plants in rain garden. Lythrum salicaria, Polygonum orientale, Pennisetum orientale, Iris tectorum, Miscanthus sinensis "Gracillimus", Miscanthus sinensis "Variegatu" were evaluated as level 1. Thalia dealbata, Dianthus plumarius, Hylotelephium erythrostictum, Canna indica, Coreopsis drummondii, Verbena officinalis, Dahlia pinnata were evaluated as level 4. The rest of sixteen plants were evaluated as level 2-3. [Conclusion] Plants with a comprehensive evaluation level 1 are the optimal choice for the construction of rainwater gardens in Yubei District. Plants with a comprehensive evaluation level 4 need to be carefully selected for rainwater gardens. Integrated evaluation of plants with level 2-3 are suitable to be planted in areas such as water storage areas, buffer zones, and marginal areas.