Four typical superabsorbent polymers were tested to study their impact on the physical properties of sandy soil and the growth of corn. Results showed that superabsorbent polymers evidently ameliorated soil water characteristics. Concentration of SAP from 0.50% to 1.00% had a typical significance to Ordos sandy soil. Superabsorbent polymers effectively improved the water holding capacity of soil, and the ameliorating effect in low soil water suctions(＜0.8MPa) obviously superior to the high soil water suctions(＞0.8MPa). In terms of soil available water of Ordos sandy soil, polymers of polyacrylate had better performance than polymers of polyacrylamide in lower SAP concentrations (＜0.5%),while in the higher SAP concentrations (＞0.5%) is the opposite. Soil bulk densities were decreased with the increase of concentration of superabsorbent polymers. Soil total porosities were increased with the increase of concentration of superabsorbent polymers. The survival time of maize was longer when the amounts of superabsorbent polymer were higher.