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In southern China, winter green manure is widely used in rice cropping systems for improving grain yields and soil fertility. Cd pollution has recently been reported in some of these paddy fields. Research on the in-depth understanding of how green manuring affects Cd absorption in rice is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of different green manures, including single plantation and mixed plantation on the absorption of Cd by rice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Pot experiments demonstrated that compared with winter fallow–rice, green manuring treatments considerably decreased rice Cd content, promoted the conversion of bioavailable Cd fraction into a more stable form, induced the formation of iron plaque, and increased the content of humic-like fraction (HF) in soil dissolved organic matter (DOM). Treatment with mixed plantation resulted in a greater decrease in rice Cd content and an increase in HF and iron plaque contents than single plantation. Hydroponic experiments confirmed that both iron plaque and green manure-derived DOM significantly reduced the Cd content in rice seedlings. In conclusion, green manure incorporation is an efficient measure for the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated soil, and mixed plantation of different green manures exerts stronger effects. [Display omitted] • Green manuring significantly reduced Cd contents in rice tissues. • Green manuring enhanced humic-like fraction but reduced protein-like fraction. • Humic-like fraction and iron plaque were effective in immobilizing Cd. • DOM and iron plaque affected Cd mobility and bioaccumulation. • Mixed plantation of green manure is more effective in reducing Cd absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]