Heavy metals are considered to be a significant pollutant in water bodies, adversely affecting human health by causing various severe diseases after passing down the food chain. The rise in environmental problems due to the usage of non � biodegradable materials leads to the necessity of eco�friendly materials. The abundant and eco-friendly nature of the nanocellulose makes them promising substitutes for non-sustainable materials, nowadays. It is also possible to find the chemical components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) present in a source and the cellulose yield. In this context, nanocellulose has gained considerable attention among nanomaterials as a promising candidate for the adsorption of toxic heavy metal ions because of its large surface area, light weight, low cost, biocompatible nature, etc. Moreover, the numerous surface hydroxyl groups present in its surface make them suitable for the wide range of surface functionalization with different groups. They can thus be used individually or in combination with other materials for excellent adsorption towards various toxic heavy metal ions. The state of research on modified nanocellulose as an adsorbent for heavy metals is principally discussed in this review. Mainly two types of plant-based nanocelluloses; cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), are discussed in detail in this review. The extraction of nanocellulose via a green approach was also covered. This review comprises comprehensive details on the modifications and other relevant properties of nanocellulose which would facilitate the adsorption of toxic heavy metals. © The Author(s) 2024.