Abstract: The growth and physiological properties of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. seedlings under drought stress were studied so as to explore the defense mechanism of this plant species, reveal the mechanism of drought resistance in plants, and try to provide a theoretical basis for protecting, exploiting and utilizing the plant resources in the arid environment. L. ruthenicum Murr. seedlings were potted under four different soil moisture content levels, i.e. the optimal soil moisture content (CK), moderate drought stress (D1), moderate drought stress (D2), and severe drought stress (D3), which were controlled by weighing the soil and pots. The results were as follows: ① With increasing drought stress, the growth of plant height and base diameter, biomass and LMR of the seedlings were increased in treatment D1, but decreased in treatment D2 and D3; the RMR and root/shoot ratio were gradually increased in treatment D1 and D2, but decreased in treatment D3; ② The contents of Pro and soluble sugar were sharply increased in treatment D2 and D3; along with the drought stress time, the content of soluble protein was increased at first and then decreased; the content of MDA was increased at first, then decreased gradually, and increased again at last; ③ Along with the drought stress time, SOD activity was in an increase trend, the activities of POD and CAT were increased at first and then decreased. These results suggested that L. ruthenicum Murr. seedlings could reduce the water loss of aerial parts, increase the biomass of the roots to absorb more water, change the cell osmotic potential by accumulating the osmotic regulators to reduce the water loss within the cell and by regulating the growth and biomass allocation. Moreover, [WTBX]L. ruthenicum[WTBZ] Murr. can improve the activity of protective enzymes to weaken the role of membrane lipid peroxidation, and showed a strong drought tolerance.