In this paper, the effects of groundnut shell ash (GSA), plant ash (PA), Suzhou biomass ash (SZA) and corn stover ash (CSA) on the fluidity, setting time, hydration properties, shrinkage properties and compressive strength of alkali-activated slag (AAS) cementitious materials were investigated when 10% (mass fraction) blast furnace slag powder (GGBS) was replaced by four different ashes. The results show that the incorporation of biomass ash can increase the pH value of alkali-activated solution and promote the hydration process of AAS to varying degrees. After the incorporation of GSA, PA, SZA and CSA, the cumulative heat release of AAS specimens increases by 31.2%, 27.1%, 16.9% and 19.5%, respectively, compared with the blank group. The laboratory ash (GSA and PA) cumulative heat release is higher than the power plant ash (SZA and CSA). The incorporation of laboratory ash (GSA and PA) increases the autogenous shrinkage of paste specimens, which increases by 61.5% and 44.9%， respectively， compared with the blank group. The incorporation of SZA and CSA alleviates the autogenous shrinkage to a certain extent, which decreases by 15.0% and 15.7%, respectively, compared with the blank group. The compressive strength of AAS specimens is improved by adding biomass ash. The 28 d compressive strength of AAS specimens after adding GSA, PA, SZA and CSA is 20.0%, 18.3%, 15.9% and 16.9% higher than that of the blank group, respectively.