Water-deficit stress induces significant anatomical changes in higher plants, affecting growth, development, and productivity. This review discusses the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in plants, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant-water relations and water-stress tolerance for improving crop productivity and environmental quality. Drought stress is a major environmental challenge that limits plant growth and productivity, with effects observed in various plant species, including sunflower, groundnut, and wheat. Water-deficit stress leads to reduced turgor pressure, cell expansion, and growth, as well as changes in root, stem, and leaf morphology. Root length, stem length, and leaf area are significantly affected by water stress, with plants adapting through osmotic adjustment, changes in stomatal conductance, and alterations in cell turgor. Water-use efficiency (WUE) is a critical factor in plant performance under drought conditions, and various physiological and molecular responses are involved in maintaining WUE. The review highlights the importance of understanding these responses for developing drought-tolerant crops and improving agricultural sustainability. Current research emphasizes the integration of post-genomics and metabolomics with field-based physiological measurements to enhance our understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms in plants. The study of anatomical changes and drought tolerance strategies in higher plants is essential for developing crops that can withstand water stress and maintain productivity under changing environmental conditions.Water-deficit stress induces significant anatomical changes in higher plants, affecting growth, development, and productivity. This review discusses the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in plants, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant-water relations and water-stress tolerance for improving crop productivity and environmental quality. Drought stress is a major environmental challenge that limits plant growth and productivity, with effects observed in various plant species, including sunflower, groundnut, and wheat. Water-deficit stress leads to reduced turgor pressure, cell expansion, and growth, as well as changes in root, stem, and leaf morphology. Root length, stem length, and leaf area are significantly affected by water stress, with plants adapting through osmotic adjustment, changes in stomatal conductance, and alterations in cell turgor. Water-use efficiency (WUE) is a critical factor in plant performance under drought conditions, and various physiological and molecular responses are involved in maintaining WUE. The review highlights the importance of understanding these responses for developing drought-tolerant crops and improving agricultural sustainability. Current research emphasizes the integration of post-genomics and metabolomics with field-based physiological measurements to enhance our understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms in plants. The study of anatomical changes and drought tolerance strategies in higher plants is essential for developing crops that can withstand water stress and maintain productivity under changing environmental conditions.