<p>Lead (Pb) toxicity leads to detrimental effects on overall health and wellbeing of all the living organisms as it holds no biological potential. The present study explored the potential of plant steroidal hormone, 28-Homobrassinolide (28-HBL) on growth, osmolytes and non-enzymatic antioxidants of <i>Vigna radiata</i> exposed to toxic concentrations of Pb. <i>V. radiata</i> seeds were primed with different concentrations of 28-HBL (1&#xa0;nM, 10&#xa0;nM, 100&#xa0;nM) and then later exposed to 2.5&#xa0;mM Pb stress and raised for 12&#xa0;days under controlled laboratory conditions. The results of the study revealed that Pb stress led to decline in seed germination along with declining levels of morphological parameters, plant biomass and seed vigour in <i>V. radiata</i> seedlings. However, 28-HBL helped in ameliorating the levels of growth parameters and showed significant enhancement in germination percentage, seedling length and plant biomass. Pb stress in <i>V. radiata</i> seedlings led to elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased electrolyte leakage, clearly indicating toxicity. Treatment with 28-HBL significantly reduced both MDA accumulation and electrolyte leakage, demonstrating its ameliorative effect. Pb stress led to increased accumulation of osmolytes such as free amino acids, proline, glycine betaine, and trehalose as a part of the plant’s stress-response mechanism. Seed priming with 28-HBL aided in maintaining these elevated osmolyte levels, indicating its protective role under Pb stress. Furthermore, a similar trend was evident in the content of vitamin E and B₂ which are known to play a major in ROS scavenging. Seed priming with 28-HBL regulated the levels of sugars in Pb stressed <i>V. radiata</i> seedlings and overall, the best results were obtained at 10&#xa0;nM 28-HBL. Therefore, the present research evaluated the potential of 28-HBL in sustaining the growth of <i>V. radiata</i> seedlings under Pb stress.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>