A facile template-free synthesis is developed to directly grow cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanowires (NWs) on stainless steel (SS) mesh substrate as anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The directly grown Co3O4 NWs on SS mesh are prepared via an ammonia-evaporation-induced method followed by calcination at 300°C in air. SEM images show a SS mesh-sketched structure with densely grown NWs and ordered meshes on it. Free from the tedious and economically unfavorable electrode fabrication, Co3O4 NWs on SS mesh electrode simplifies the process by a direct growing technique. Furthermore, it better addresses the cycling stability and rate performance issues of Co3O4 by improving both ion and electron transportation. The charge and discharge capacities are stabilized at around 850 mAh g−1 after 30 cycles with various current densities. After 100 cycles charge and discharge, Co3O4 NWs on SS mesh electrode still remains a capacity of 766 mAh g−1. Together with its outstanding mechanical strength and flexibility, this novel electrode may find many applications in different types of LIBs.