Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is an important food-borne pathogen causing invasive listeriosis. This pathogen is widely distributed in various links of the food supply chain with complex and changeable environment. L. monocytogenes presents an exceptional ability to survive in adverse environment such as nutrient deficiency by adjusting its physiological state， posing a serious threat to food safety. This review focused on the phenotypic characteristics and possible regulatory mechanisms of L. monocytogenes under nutrient stress conditions， including biofilm formation ability， resistance and virulence， as well as regulatory factors such as σB， (p) ppGpp and sRNA. This study can help to understand the survival mechanism of L. monocytogenes under nutrient stress， and provide reference for controlling this pathogen.