Abstract: To explore the effect of the groundwater burial depth on the growth and water consumption of sea buckthorn plants under the restriction of the root domain, four groundwater burial depths (3.0, 2.5, 2.0 and 1.5 m) and two soil qualities (sandy loam and loam) were evaluated. The groundwater level was simulated using a Markov flask water supply system to obtain groundwater recharge, leakage, growth index variation, and water consumption and to explore the growth characteristics and water consumption patterns of sea buckthorn under the different groundwater depth conditions. Combined with the analysis of water consumption patterns and measured growth indices, the appropriate groundwater depth for sea buckthorn was determined. The significance analysis results reveal that the relationships between the biomass of new sea buckthorn shoots and the groundwater burial depth followed the order of 2.0 m>2.5 m>3.0 m>1.5 m. Similarly, the water production efficiency indicated the order of 2.5 m>2.0 m>3.0 m>1.5 m, and sandy loam conditions were better than loam conditions. When planted in sandy loam soil, the plant height, stem thickness and other growth indices of sea buckthorn at a depth of 2.0 m were better than those under the other groundwater depth conditions. Sandy loam soil was more suitable for sea buckthorn growth than loam soil, and the water consumption intensity of sea buckthorn at each stage of the planting process first increased and then decreased. According to our comprehensive analysis, the sandy loam soil and the groundwater depth ranging from 2.0-2.5 m are better conditions for sea buckthorn growth in the arid zone of Xinjiang.