Abstract: Attapulgite is a kind of chain/layered silicate mineral, which has one-dimensional channels in the structure and is needle-like in shape. It is widely used due to its special structure and properties. This paper briefly introduced the composition, structure, properties and resource distribution of attapulgite, then focused on the progresses in the research and application of attapulgite in the field of adsorption, energy storage, colloidal material, carrier material, filling material, biomedicine and agricultural production in the past ten years. Finally, several future research directions of attapulgite were proposed.