The adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution was studied by Common Reed (CR) activated with different concentrations of H3PO4 (PA) and,carbonized at 500 degrees C under flowing of different atmospheres (nitrogen and air). Activated carbons (ACs) obtained were characterized using FT-IR and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The adsorption data were studied for adsorption isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Tempkin models. Adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) was best fitted with Dubinin-Radushkevich and Tempkin adsorption isotherms. The best conditions of preparation were 30% PA in the air for Cu(II) adsorption and 50% in N2 for Cd(II)adsorption, with total surface area (SBET) of 1192.85 m(2)/g and 1181.44 m(2)/g respectively. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Cd(II) were 47.00 mg/g and 83.43 mg/g respectively. The results indicated that CR could be employed as a low-cost alternative for the removal of heavy metals ions from effluents. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.