A family of layered-lanthanum crystalline NWs with hierarchical pores was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. The diameter of the pores ranged from 2 to 50 nm, covering both the micropore and the mesopore scale. Luminescence was introduced by doping nanowires with Eu3+ ion. By combining the merits of hierarchical porous nanowires and layered hydroxides, these as-synthesized products have shown a unique bioengineering application of capturing and releasing short DNA fragments rapidly in dilute solution, and environmental engineering applications due to their remarkable capability to remove organic dye from water.