Biological and physico-chemistry experiments were conducted to study the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on eco-toxicity of phenanthrene in a soil. The results showed that DOM was a kind of surfactant. The sensitive range of phe inhibiting wheat root elongation was from 0 to 200 mg/kg, and median inhibition concentration (IC50) was 200 mg/kg. In the presence of DOM, the eco-toxicity of phe could be alleviated and the inhabited degree was related to the content of hydrophobic components and surface activity. This effect could be strengthened by the high concentration of DOM. As a kind of hydrophobic organic compound, phe could reduce the moisture of topsoil, and DOM would slightly increase the moisture of topsoil polluted by phe. It was concluded that DOM could lighten the eco-toxicity of phe in soil.