High concentrations of particulate matter with diameters less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) have seriously affected the sustainable economic and social development of Henan Province. Analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution of PM_2.5 and source analysis can provide a scientific basis for local pollution prevention and control. Using data from 17 atmospheric monitoring stations from 2016 to 2018, the spatiotemporal evolution of PM_2.5 concentrations and source apportionment of Henan Province was explored using spatial autocorrelation analysis, empirical orthogonal function (EOF), potential source contribution factor (PSCF) analysis, and concentration weight trajectory (CWT) analysis. The PM_2.5 concentration demonstrated varied annual, seasonal, monthly and daily characteristics from 2016 to 2018. The annual average concentrations decreased each year at an average rate of 5.3 μg/m³. The seasonal variation was “low in spring and summer while high in autumn and winter”. The monthly average and daily average over-standard rates exhibited a U-shaped pattern, with low values in the summer and high values in the winter. The daily average presented a pulse-type fluctuation. The areas with high concentrations of PM_2.5 were primarily distributed in the central and northern parts of Henan Province, while the areas with low values were primarily distributed in the southern part of Henan Province. PM_2.5 concentrations were negatively correlated with temperature, with the highest concentration at 0-5ºC, and strongly positively correlated with relative humidity in winter, with the highest PM_2.5 concentrations between 80% and 90% relative humidity. Overall, the most important pollution transmission in winter came from southern Shanxi and northern Shaanxi, followed by Anhui and Shandong, again from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the smallest transmission came from Hubei. The area within Henan Province was also a significant contributor.