In this paper, the low reversed cyclic loading tests of three PVA-ECC columns were carried out, and the influence of the stirrup ratio change on the seismic performance of the columns under the high axial load ratio was studied, and the hysteretic performance, ductility, energy dissipation capacity and stiffness degradation of the test PVA-ECC columns and the ordinary reinforced concrete columns were compared. The test results indicate that, under high axial load, the test specimen exhibited flexure failures with better ductility, and bond splitting, spalling of ECC as well as composite disintegration due to cyclic loading were prevented. With the decrease of the stirrup spacing of PVA-ECC columns, the seismic ductility was also improved greatly. Compared with the PVA-ECC column with stirrup spacing( 90mm),the displacement ductility, the maximum drift ratio and the equivalent viscous damping ratios of the PVA-ECC columns with stirrup spacing 70 mm and 50 mm were improved by 15.6%～16.3%,17.1%～20.6% and 15.6%～17.8%, respectively. Minimum stirrup ratio that can satisfy certain seismic requirement on displacement ductility and drift ratio were put forward.