This review discusses the dynamics of plant litter, its effects on the chemical and physical environment, and its direct and indirect impacts on plant populations and communities. The production of litter is primarily influenced by site productivity, but other environmental factors and chance can also play significant roles. Time lags between the production of plant organs and their transformation into litter are a crucial but often overlooked aspect of litter dynamics. Herbivory and other processes that reduce biomass or productivity can decrease litter production. The destruction of litter involves complex interactions, including physical and chemical degradation, consumption by invertebrates, and decomposition, which are influenced by environmental conditions and the characteristics of the litter itself. Litter alters the physical and chemical environment by releasing nutrients and phytotoxic substances into the soil and affecting the activity of decomposers. It also intercepts light, reducing soil temperature and water vapor diffusion, which can impact seed germination and plant growth. Litter can create physical barriers that hinder seedling emergence and seed dispersal. The heterogeneous accumulation of litter can affect community structure through both direct and indirect effects. Direct effects occur when one species' litter influences another species' performance, while indirect effects result from the altered interactions between species. Strategies for litter accumulation, such as tolerance to litter, optimizing nutrient recycling, and deterring competitors, are proposed. However, only tolerance to litter accumulation is currently supported as the most likely adaptive strategy.This review discusses the dynamics of plant litter, its effects on the chemical and physical environment, and its direct and indirect impacts on plant populations and communities. The production of litter is primarily influenced by site productivity, but other environmental factors and chance can also play significant roles. Time lags between the production of plant organs and their transformation into litter are a crucial but often overlooked aspect of litter dynamics. Herbivory and other processes that reduce biomass or productivity can decrease litter production. The destruction of litter involves complex interactions, including physical and chemical degradation, consumption by invertebrates, and decomposition, which are influenced by environmental conditions and the characteristics of the litter itself. Litter alters the physical and chemical environment by releasing nutrients and phytotoxic substances into the soil and affecting the activity of decomposers. It also intercepts light, reducing soil temperature and water vapor diffusion, which can impact seed germination and plant growth. Litter can create physical barriers that hinder seedling emergence and seed dispersal. The heterogeneous accumulation of litter can affect community structure through both direct and indirect effects. Direct effects occur when one species' litter influences another species' performance, while indirect effects result from the altered interactions between species. Strategies for litter accumulation, such as tolerance to litter, optimizing nutrient recycling, and deterring competitors, are proposed. However, only tolerance to litter accumulation is currently supported as the most likely adaptive strategy.