Abstract: In this study, Schisandra chinensis dregs were used as the fermentation medium to cultivate Cordyceps militaris without adding any other nutrients, and the fermentation conditions were optimized by response surface method ( RSM) .A maximal yield of cordycepin ( 5.1202 mg /g) were obtained when the water ratio, medium weight, inoculation ratio, fermentation temperature were 2mL /g, 37 g, 23%, 26℃, respectively. Furthermore, the content of polysaccharide in the final fermentation products was 2.87% which was increased 24.97% compared with original Schisandra chinensis dregs.Using Schisandra chinensis dregs as the fermentation medium of Cordyceps militaris can not only improve the utilization value of Schisandra chinensis dregs, but also reduce the costs of cordycepin production by Cordyceps militaris.