As one of the fluorescent molecules with high quantum yield, rhodamine was often chosen as the mother molecule in the synthesis of metal ion fluorescence chemosensor. The present paper reviews the applications of rhodamine fluorescence chemosensors in the analysis of heavy metal ions and transition metal ions including the response mechanism, the kinds of targeted ion, scope of application and corresponding detection limit. In addition, the existing challenges and future development directions in the research of rhodamine-based metal ion fluorescence chemosensor are discussed.