Hierarchical porous nanosheet-assembled MgO microrods (PS-MgO) are synthesized by a simple surfactant-assisted method. Because of its unique porous nanosheet-assembled structure, the specific surface area of PS-MgO reaches 72 m2/g. Congo red adsorption experiments indicate that PS-MgO shows an adsorption capacity that is three times higher than that of MgO microrods.