[Objective] The water consumption characteristics and growth performances of three shrubs seedlings on the embankment slope of Yuexi-Wuhan highway under different soil water conditions were studied to provide a theoretical basis for the local slope vegetation restoration and plants maintenance of slope protection.[Methods] Three shrubs, Indigofera pseudotinctoria, Lespedeza bicolor and Amorpha fruticosa were cultivated using pot method. Water consumption and seedlings growth of them were measured under four different water treatments﹝30%~45%, 45%~60%, 60%~75% and 75%~90% of the field water capacity(FC)of pot soil].[Results] Result indicated that the diurnal variation of water consumption of the three shrub seedlings presented an unimodal shape. The peak values appeared in the noon. The monthly water consumption and total water consumption increased significantly with the increase of soil moisture. There existed significant differences in height, basal diameter and biomass increment for all of the three shrub seedlings among different soil water content. The growth of Indigofera pseudotinctoria in long time of 30%~45% FC, and the growths of Lespedeza bicolor and Amorpha fruticosa in long time of 30%~45% FC and 45%~60% FC, respectively were inhibited. Soil water content had a great influence on the water use efficiency of three shrubs seedlings. Soil water conditions of 75%~90% FC and 30%~45% FC reduced the water use efficiency(WUE).[Conclusion] If seedlings water consumption and growth characteristics were both considered, soil moisture of Indigofera pseudotinctoria should maintain at 45%~60% FC, Lespedeza bicolor and Amorpha fruticosaat 60%~75% FC. On these conditions of soil moisture, they can grow at normal rate with relative efficient uses of water.