Abstract: Adverse external conditions commonly affect plant growth and development which directly or indirectly cause decline on crop yield and even death of the plants. The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) transcription factors have been known to involve in stress responses of plants. Belonging to the homeobox (HB) protein family, the factors are unique to plants and tightly connected by the highly conserved HD and ZIP. The formation of protein dimers mediated by the LZ domain allows HD to bind to the target DNA and regulate the expression of the target gene. The HD-ZIP transcription factors not only play an important role in regulating plant growth and development but also in responding to external stresses. This article focuses on the published reports of recent studies concerning the roles of the 4 subfamilies Ⅰ-Ⅳ of the HD-ZIP transcription factors in response to pathogenic attacks and/or abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, extreme temperature, wounding, low R/FR light, and heavy metals. Through the internal molecular response mechanisms initiated by HD-ZIP, a plant could ward off the imposed adversities. With an in-depth understanding of the functions, means to improve the growth and stress resistance of plants could be realized.