Abstract: In higher plants, the biosynthesis of anthocyanins is a complicated process, which is influenced by many factors. In this paper, the research advances in the factors, which are divided into the external factors including physical factors, chemical factors and biological factors, and the internal factors including developmental stages and plant growth substances, and their mechanisms of regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in higher plants were systematically summarized，and the comprehensiveness meaning coordinated action and consistent mechanism of these external and internal factors was analyzed. At last, some problems in the research field were put forward，and the utilizations of these factors to artificial regulate the intension of anthocyanin biosynthesis in order to enhance fruits nutrition value, flowers ornamental value and plants stress resistance were discussed.