Objective To study the relationship between the quality of Astragalus membranaceus and soil in Gansu Minle. Methods we sampled the medicinal materials and soils of Astragalus membranaceus in Minle County, and determined the medicinal quality, soil factors and heavy metal elements by high performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and etc. Results The quality of Minle Astragalus meets the requirements of the Pharmacopoeia standards and is low on the risk of heavy metal pollution. There was a significant negative correlation between the extract and the available potassium. There was a significant positive correlation between the astragaloside IV and the available potassium. There was a highly significant positive correlation between calycosin-7-glucoside and soluble salt. There was a significant positive correlation with available potassium, and a significant negative correlation with pH. Among them, soil pH value is the most important factor affecting the content of astragalus extract, astragaloside IV and verrucous glucoside, followed by total phosphorus, organic matter and total nitrogen. Conclusion The results revealed that the soil factors is the main influencing factor of the quality of Astragalus membranaceus in Minle County, which can provide a theoretical basis for the standardized cultivation of Astragalus membranaceus in Minle County.