Abstract: Root parasitic weeds such as Striga spp., Orobanche spp., and Phelipanchce spp. have caused significant losses in agriculture production worldwide. They extort water and nutrients from host plants, such as Solanaceae, Leguminosae, and grain crops, causing the shrinking and death of the host. Seed germination of root parasitic weeds is regulated by germination stimulants such as strigolactones. This report has summarized the current state of our understanding on the root parasitic weeds, the types of seed germination stimulants and their characterization, biosynthesis, and mode of action. Moreover, the perspective of using seed germination stimulants and their alike in the control of root parasitic weeds has also been discussed.