Abstract: To clarify the relationships between the growth, photosynthesis, and active oxygen metabolism of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei and the environment under different stand conditions, and to approach the habitats suitable for the growth of T. wallichiana var. mairei seedlings, an investigation was made on the growth and physiological characteristics of two-year-old T. wallichiana var. mairei seedlings in three different habitats (Camphor stand, Eucalyptus stand, and open space) in Quanzhou of Fujian Province, East China. As compared with those in open space, the plant height and new shoot length of the seedlings in Eucalyptus and Camphor plantations were significantly improved, suggesting that woodland habitats benefited the growth of the seedlings. The seedlings chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and net photosynthetic rate in woodland habitats increased significantly, compared with those in open space. The seedling’s soluble sugar and amino acid contents were higher in woodland habitats than in open space, while the seedling’s protein contents were in adverse. The SOD and CAT activities of the seedlings in woodland habitats decreased, while the POD activities increased. Our study suggested that open space habitat could cause a strong light stress on T. wallichiana var. mairei seedlings while woodland habitats could provide indispensable shade environment for the seedling growth, and thus, it would be suitable for T. wallichiana var. mairei seedlings growing in Eucalyptus and Camphor plantations.