CdS nanowires (NWs) were prepared by ethylenediamine solvothermal method, and the effects of ethylenediamine dosage and crystallization conditions on the composition, structure, morphology, specific surface area, photoabsorption performance, electrochemical performance and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of CdS NWs were investigated. The results show that the CdS NWs prepared under the optimized conditions is well dispersed, with an aspect ratio of 550 and a radial diameter of about 50 nm. In the experiment of photocatalytic decomposition of hydrogen evolution from water driven by visible light, the hydrogen production rate of CdS NWs is 316 μmol·g-1·h-1, which is 3.0 times higher than that of cadmium sulfide without ethylenediamine. In the fourth hydrogen production cycle experiment, the hydrogen production rate of CdS NWs is about 81% of the initial value, showing good stability. This study provides a basis for further modification of one-dimensional CdS NWs in photocatalytic decomposition of water for hydrogen production.