The present study was carried out to examine the effects of low and variable water conditions on plant biomass, root to shoot ratio, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and spectral features in leaves of maize (Zea mays cv. Suyu 19) by pot experiment. The results showed that continuing drought led to an inhibition of plant growth, increase of root to shoot ratio, and inhibition of photosynthesis through stomatal and/or nonstomatal limitations. The mSR705, chlNDI and REP were also significantly reduced by continuing drought compared to the controls, whereas SIPI was unaffected. Under the low and variable water conditions, plant growth was inhibited, however, the root to shoot ratio, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and spectral properties were similar to the controls. The results indicated that the maintenance of biomass allocation, photosynthesis and spectral reflectance might be an important mechanism for maize to adapt the low and variable water conditions.