Through the analysis on the leaf color and photosynthetic characteristics of new strains and main cultivars of Rehmannia glutinosa, it is expected to provide theoretical basis for breeding of new varieties. Chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Cond), transpiration rate (Tr), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) in 8 varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa were measured by spectrophotometer and LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System. The results showed that the chlorophyll content of Huaidijin 8 (2.84 mg/g), Huaidi 81 (2.71 mg/g), Huaidi 85-5 (2.69 mg/g), Jinjiu (2.66 mg/g) and Huaidi 83 (2.63 mg/g) was higher; the anthocyanin content of Jinjiu (0.169) and Huaidijin 8 (0.165) was higher, while the anthocyanin content Huaidi 83(0.060) was the lowest; Pn of Huaidi 81 [2.41 μmol/(m2·s)], Huaidi 83 [2.37 μmol/(m2·s)] and Huaidijin 8 [2.25 μmol/(m2·s)] was higher, and the anthocyanin content was positively correlated with Pn, while the anthocyanin content was negatively correlated with Pn; Huaidijin 8 and Huaidi 83 showed dominant advantages in single plant fresh weight, indicator component, and resistance over the main cultivars. This indicates that the new variety Huaidijin 8 and Huaidi 83 have excellent comprehensive traits and can be properly popularized.