In　the　present　work,　a　simple　solvothermal　method　is　developed　for　the　synthesis　of　hierarchical　Co-based　metal–organic　framework　(H-Co-MOF)　microflowers.　These　microflowers　are　composed　of　nanosheets,　consisting　of　small　nanoflakes.　Upon　application　as　an　electrode　material　in　Li-ion　batteries,　H-Co-MOF　shows　ultrahigh　specific　capacity　and　long　cycling　performance.　For　instance,　a　remarkably　superior　capacity　of　1345　mA　h　g−1　can　be　achieved　after　100　cycles　at　a　current　density　of　0.1　A　g−1.　Even　at　2　A　g−1,　a　large　capacity　of　828　mA　h　g−1　is　maintained　after　700　cycles.　This　excellent　electrochemical　performance　might　be　ascribed　to　the　intrinsic　properties　and　unique　hierarchical　structure　of　the　Co-based　MOF.　©　2018　Wiley-VCH　Verlag　GmbH　&　Co.　KGaA,　Weinheim