Lithium-rich cathode material Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 with hierarchically porous micro-rod structures has been synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. The morphology and XRD patterns explain the formation mechanism of the sample. Micro-rod oxalates precursor with rough surface is formed during the hydrothermal reaction, and then the product with hierarchically porous structures constructed of nanoparticles is synthesized during the sintering process at high temperatures. The electrochemical performance results show that the as-prepared sample exhibits high capacities, good cycleability and outstanding rate capability. It delivers discharge capacities of 280.7, 254.8, 232.3, 225.6, 201.7 and 172.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1C, 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C and 5C rates, respectively. The cycle voltammograms indicate the good reversibility of the as-prepared Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 material. The high onset temperature of the exothermal peak in the differential scanning calorimetry curve implies its good thermal stability. The good performance of the as-prepared material is endowed by its hierarchically porous structures.