The surface-modified Strychnos potatorum seeds (SMSP) were used as an effective low-cost adsorbent for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. SMSP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopic analyses. The effect of operating variables such as solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial cadmium ions concentration and temperature on the removal of cadmium ions were studied in a batch mode adsorption operation. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of cadmium ions onto the SMSP were found to be: pH of 5.0, SMSP dose of 2 g/L, contact time of 30min, temperature of 30 ℃ for an initial cadmium ions concentration of 100 mg/L. Kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic equations, intraparticle diffusion model, Boyd kinetic model and shrinking core model. The characteristic parameters for each model have been estimated. Adsorption of cadmium ions onto the SMSP follows the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The rate-limiting steps in the adsorption process were found to be external and internal diffusion. Equilibrium data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model than the Freundlich isotherm model, which yields a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 200mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change were also estimated. The results show that the removal of cadmium ions by the SMSP was found to be spontaneous and exothermic.