Investigating the effects of different precipitation treatments on xylem anatomical characteristics of desert plants can provide a theoretical basis for understanding the adaptation mechanism and predicting the desert ecosystem process responses to precipitation change in the future. In this study, we simulated the precipitation change in semi-arid climate zone by artificial precipitation controlling experiment in the desert ecosystem established mainly by Artemisia ordosica in Mu Us Sandy Land. A two-factor completely randomized experiment was conducted with three precipitation gradients (Precipitation reduce by 30%, natural precipitation, and Precipitation increase by 30%) and two precipitation interval gradients (precipitation interval 5 days and precipitation interval 15 days). The response of various anatomical characteristic parameters of the xylem of A. ordosica to different precipitation were monitored. The results indicated that:(1) the number of xylem vessels in A. ordosica increased significantly with decreasing precipitation amount, and the density and thickness of xylem vessels increased significantly (P<0.05). A longer precipitation interval would significantly increase the number of xylem vessels, thickness of the xylem vessel' walls and mean diameter of xylem vessels (P<0.05). The interaction effect of precipitation and precipitation interval on xylem anatomical characteristics of A. ordosica was not significant. (2) The decreased precipitation amount and extended precipitation interval weakened the sensitivity of potential hydraulic conductance in response to xylem vessels' diameter in A. ordosica. (3) A. ordosica could balance the safety and efficiency of water transport strategy by adjusting xylem vessels characteristics in response to the decreased precipitation amount and extended precipitation interval. This study indicated that by changing xylem anatomical parameters is an important strategy for A. ordosica to adapt to precipitation changes. Both precipitation amount and precipitation interval had effects on hydraulic characteristics of desert plants.