•LiFePO4 microplates grown in (010) and (001) lattice planes were prepared by a controllable method.•Two growth mechanisms based on nucleation and recrystallization process were proposed.•(010) microplates have a higher diffusion coefficient than the (001) ones.•(010) microplates exhibit high specific capacity, showing great potential for application in LIBs.Two different LiFePO4 microplates grown in parallel with (010) and (001) lattice planes were obtained using a controllable hydrothermal process. The as-synthesized materials were characterized physically and electrochemically. XRD, SEM and HRTEM investigations confirmed the preferred growth and two corresponding growth mechanisms based on nucleation and recrystallization process were proposed. The calculation of Li ion diffusion coefficient along [001] and [010] directions using CV and EIS results revealed that (010) microplates have a higher diffusion coefficient than the (001) ones, implying a good electrochemical performance for (010) microplates over the (001) ones. Capacity tests confirmed the above assumption. Both the two cathode materials showed high specific capacities, and the (010) microplates exhibit a value around 158 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.5C, showing a great advantage of (010) microplates for future application in LIBs for EV application.