Introduction. The problem of environmental pollution by heavy metals is becoming more and more urgent. Lead ions from the soil enter plants and disrupt the normal course of morphological and biochemical processes. The species-specific mechanisms of lead absorption have not been fully studied. The purpose of the research is to study the effect of lead salts on the morphophysiological parameters of the white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Medik.). Materials and methods. The objects of the study were seeds and seedlings of white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Medik., Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family). The effect of aqueous solutions of Pb(NO3)2 (0.001 M, 0.005 M, 0.01 M, 0.05 M, 0.1 M) on the energy of germination and viability of seeds, the permeability of cell membranes and the size of roots and leaves of white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Medik.) seedlings was studied. Results, discussion. With an increase in the concentration of lead in an aqueous solution (from 0.001 M to 0.1 M), the germination energy and viability of white sweet clover seeds significantly decreased compared to the control (by 19.0‒94.3 % and 35.4‒91.4 %, respectively), and the leachability of intracellular electrolytes from root and leaf tissues increased by 2.7‒3.0 and 1.6‒2.4 times, respectively. Under conditions of increasing lead pollution, there was a 1.1‒2.1‒fold decrease in the length of the roots and 1.1‒1.3-fold decrease in the height of the shoots of seedlings, which, apparently, is associated with the accumulation of metal in plant tissues, and as a consequence, inhibition of meristem activity. Conclusion. 0.01‒0.1 M solutions of Pb(NO3)2 had a toxic effect on seed germination processes, on the state of cell membranes, disrupting their lipid complex; lead, entering the tissues of white sweet clover (Melilotus albus) seedlings, inhibited the growth of the main root and leaves.