Spartina alterniflora is a seashore plant native to the Atlantic coast of the United States. It was introduced into China in the 1980s. Owing to its strong adaptability and reproductive ability, S. alterniflora rapidly spread and invaded many coastal areas, causing a serious threat to the indigenous biodiversity of wetland ecosystems and also to the economic development. Effective control of S. alterniflora has become one of the important issues of research and social concern. In this study, the distribution status and invasion trend of S. alterniflora are summarised through literature analysis, summarising the advantages and disadvantages of physical, chemical, biological, and integrated control methods. Identified problems in the control of S. alterniflora, include difficult prevention, high cost of control, easy recurrence, and imperfect early warning systems. The use of remote sensing-based "information collection + early warning + hierarchical control" and technical measures of "control + utilization" of S. alterniflora provide a promising avenue for improved control of this invasive plant.