Abstract: Reviews on the trophic modes and factors affecting photosynthesis of Spirulina was made. It indicated that not only can Spirulina cells grow photoautotrophically and photomixtrotrophically, but also can grow heterotrophically under some specific conditions. Light intensity, light quality, temperature, species and concentration of metals, rare earth elements and vitamins, salinity, cell concentration, dissolved oxygen level and magnetic filed etc., all play important roles in photosynthetic performance and cell productivity of Spirulina.