This paper analysed the influence of the gradient of water levels (-54–120 cm) on Acorus calamus (A. calamus) young shoots in terms of their growth characteristics (germination rate, basal stem, height and biomass), leaf characteristics (number, area and moisture content), chlorophyll (chl) fluorescence parameters (Fv/ Fm, ETR, qP and qN) and other indicators. Based on a Gaussian model, we determined and quantified the response relationship between A. calamus young shoots and water level. The results showed that the ecological amplitude of water level for A. calamus young shoots was -52.3−141.8 cm, and the optimum range was -3.5−69.3 cm; a variety of indicators suggested that the optimum depth for A. calamus young shoots was from18.8 cm to 49.6 cm. The A. calamus seedling growth characteristics which were sensitive to changes in the water level were the germination rate and biomass. The germination rate was more sensitive to the submergence water depth, but the biomass was obviously influenced by the groundwater depth. Therefore, the A. calamus could be a suitable species for ecological restoration of land/inland water ecotones in lakes, rivers and reservoirs.