A γ-polyglutamic acid/attapulgite superabsorbent composite was prepared using γ-polyglutamic acid and attapulgite as materials, and polyethylene glycol glycidyl ether as crosslinking agent. The structure and surface morphology of the superabsorbent composite were characterized by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of the mass fraction of γ-polyglutamic acid and attapulgite, pH value of solution, the mass fractions of NaCl, ZnCl2 and Na2SO3 on the swelling ratio were investigated in distilled water. The results showed that the suitable mass fraction of γ-polyglutamic acid and attapulgite were 14% and 6%, and the suitable pH value was 5~9. The lower the mass fraction of the ions in the solution, the greater the swelling degree of the superabsorbent composite. ZnCl2 aqueous solution had a great influence on the swelling behavior of γ-polyglutamic acid/attapulgite superabsorbent composite. In addition, the superabsorbent composite had good water retention.