Peptide antibiotics from plants are a type of small-size peptides which at least display antimicrobial property in vitro. The expression of some of them can be induced by many factors such as bacteria, fungi and other physical and chemical stimuli, others are constitutively expressed. According to the nucleotide sequences and their secondary-dimensional structures, nine families of peptide antibiotics have been identified in plants. These include thionins, defensins, so-called lipid transfer proteins, hevein- and knottin-like peptides, four cysteine-type, and the recently reported shepherdins, snakins and cyclotides. Recent advances concerning the classification, mode of action, biological properties and plant genetic engineering with some of peptides antibiotics are summarized in an attempt to promote the research and development in this field in China.