Tamarix ramosissima is an important windbreak and sand-stabilizing shrub in desert areas. Tamarix cones are formed through the long-term interaction between Tamarix and aeolian sand, which play an important role in maintaining the stability of regional ecological environment and curbing the spread of desert. In this paper, we studied the response and adaptation mechanism of the physiological characteristics of T. ramosissima on different developmental stages of Tamarix cones in the southwest edge of Gurbantungut Desert. The results showed that: (1) During the accumulation of Tamarix cones, the relative water content (RWC) and free water/bound water (V_s/V_a) of leaves first increased and then decreased. The highest value was found on the growth stage of Tamarix cones, while the lowest value was found on the decline stage of Tamarix cones. However, the water saturation deficit (WSD) showed an opposite trend. The tissue water content (TWC) increased gradually, and the predawn water potential (Ψ_PD) and midday water potential (Ψ_MD) decreased gradually with the accumulation of Tamarix cones. (2) During the accumulation of Tamarix cones, the diurnal variations of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), leaf temperature (T_L), photosynthetic electron transfer rate (ETR) and adjusting energy dissipation quantum yield [Y_(NPQ)] of leaves increased first and then decreased, and the daily average values of these parameters reached the maximum in the decline stage of Tamarix cones. The diurnal variation of non-adjusting energy dissipation quantum yield [Y_(NO)] of leaves decreased first and then increased in different developmental stages of Tamarix cones. The diurnal variation of the actual photochemical efficiency [Y_(II)] was all of "N" type, and the daily average value of Y_(II) was in the order of growth stage cone (0.489)> stable stage cone (0.463)> embryonic stage cone (0.455)> decline stage cone (0.439). (3) The temperature (TEMP) and PAR were negatively correlated with Y_(II) and positively correlated with ETR. Y_(II) was negatively correlated with ETR, Y_(NO) and Y_(NPQ). PAR and TEMP were the main environmental factors affecting the physiological characteristics of T. ramosissima during the development of Tamarix cones. The comprehensive analysis showed that T. ramosissima could respond to changes in the micro-environment by adjusting the synergistic relationship between photosynthesis and water use during the accumulation of Tamarix cones, thereby reducing the risk of dehydration and maximizing resource utilization.