TCP transcription factors (TFs) constitute a family of plant-specific proteins, with conserved motif known as the TCP domain. TCP domain contained 60 amino acids, and formed a bHLH structure involved in DNA-binding and protein-protein interaction. TCP TFs have been found to regulate many aspects of plant development, such as branching, height, leaf and flower growth. However, the study of TCP TFs in response to abiotic stress started relatively late. Accumulating evidence suggested that these proteins also played crucial roles in environmental stress responses, such as those mounted to cold and salt stresses. TCP TFs were involved in brassinolide, jasmonic acid, gibberellin and cytokinin signal transduction pathways. Thus, TCP proteins might be involved in the cross-talking between plant development and stress signal pathway. This paper systematically reviewed the latest advances on the functions and mechanisms of TCP TFs in plant developmental programs, hormonal interactions and environmental stresses, which may shed new lights on the applications of these proteins in modifying plant growth and resistance in desirable ways.