The wheat straw cellulose‐based hydrogels were synthesized by graft copolymerization followed by semi‐interpenetrating network technology. The prepared hydrogels were characterized through various methods including Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption performances of hydrogels toward Cu(II) ions. The results suggested that the introduction of semi‐interpenetrating network polymers, sodium alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol), could greatly enhance the adsorption property of hydrogels. And the wheat straw cellulose‐g‐poly(potassium acrylate)/sodium alginate hydrogel showed a highest Cu(II) ions adsorption capacity of 130 mg/g. The equilibrium isotherm and adsorption kinetics were also studied. Besides, the mass transfer coefficients and the thermodynamics of Cu(II) ions adsorption were also probed. Finally, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further demonstrated that the Cu(II) ions adsorption was mainly via complexation reaction of NH2 and O‐containing groups in hydrogels. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46680.