Metal-binding hydrogel particles alleviate soil toxicity and facilitate healthy plant establishment of the native metallophyte grass Astrebla lappacea in mine waste rock and tailings

► We synthesized micron-size thiol-functional cross-linked acrylamide particles (X3). ► Amendment of surface mine wastes with X3 alleviated metal toxicity to plants. ► X3 increased pH and decreased salinity and penetration resistance in mine wastes. ► X3 increased substrate water retention and water availability to plants. ► X3 allowed healthy plant establishment in phytotoxic mine wastes.