The role of Cr(III) in plants has not yet been fully elucidated. Plants need to be able to absorb Cr(III) from the soil, but there may also be other roles for it in the plant, such as in chlorophyll. The concentration of Cr(III) in the soil is typically quite high, and there are no signs that plants are taking it up. There are reports of soil Cr(III) being metabolized by plants; these reports have been disputed.

 Unmitigated high concentrations of Cr inhibit morphological, physiological, and metabolic activities within the plant, ultimately resulting in plant death. Leaf photosynthesis is reduced up to 50% as Cr is transported to the upper plant parts. Leaf wilt, leaf number, and size are present with intravenous chlorosis throughout the plant. Furthermore, plants undergo ultrastructural change throughout subcellular compartments leading to root cell damage, reduction in total pigment content, disturbance in the water and mineral nutrient balance, enzymatic deactivation, and degenerative cell, division. Cr inhibitory effects inhibit mitochondrial electron transport causing an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), perpetuating oxidative stress in the plant.

The distribution of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) containing compounds in the environment depends on the presence of oxidizing or reducing compounds, redox potential, the formation of Cr(III) complexes or insoluble Cr(III) salts, the kinetics of the redox reactions, pH, and the total chromium concentration. Both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to total Cr toxicity in the environment. Mineral leaching accounts for the natural origin of Cr in groundwater that is dominated by Cr(VI). However, above 70% of total Cr in the environment is due to the anthropogenic pollutants from effluent streams from paper and pulp mills, non-ferrous metal smelters, leather tanning industries, refineries, releases from thermal generating stations, and urban stormwater runoff. In nature, Cr(III) predominates in soil and occurs in small amounts in rocks. Worldwide, the average concentration of Cr in the soil is dependent on the bedrock and ranges between 10–100 mg/kg with an average concentration of 60 mg/. Biomass and root shoot length are reduced when high concentrations of Cr are taken from the soil. Cr-induced alterations cause damage to roots, leading to insufficient water and nutrient uptake, and can lead to long-term damage to roots.