Inoculating the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii with the ABA-catabolizing bacterium Rhodococcus qingshengii increased concentrations of Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb in plant shoots by up to 112% compared to control plants. This bacterial inoculation enhanced phytoremediation potential, improving the translocation and bioconcentration factors for these metals, though it did not affect Cu levels or soil HM bioavailability. Enhanced HM uptake was linked to upregulation of transporters related to metal absorption.