The use of alternative water holding amendments will become more important over time, especially in regions with reduced water availability. Superabsorbent materials may have great potential in restoration and reclamation projects where opportunity for irrigation is limited and thus storing more water available for plant establishment is critical. Superabsorbent materials can be generally classified as synthetic (polyacrylamides) and natural (zeolites). Superabsorbent materials absorb and store water hundreds of times their own weight. Water held in the expanded amendments is intended as a soil reservoir for maximizing the efficiency of plant water uptake. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of superabsorbent materials on the growth indices of two ornamental plants (Cupressus arizonica and Ligustrum) under reduced irrigation regimes in a field trial and the effect of superabsorbent materials on soil water retention curve (WRC) in a laboratory trial. The RETC computer program was used for obtaining optimal model parameters. A new type of superabsorbent polymer, Superab A200, and two types of zeolites (Firozkoh and Semnan) in two levels, 4 and 6 g/kg, was mixed with two soil textures of clay and sandy loam. The results of the soil water retention model showed that, superabsorbent materials caused the residual water content (qr) and saturated water content (qs) to increase. Air entry value, (hb) was observed to decrease in the clay and increase in the sandy loam. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there is significant difference between samples containing superabsorbent materials and the control and between the levels of application. The field trials were as split plot in the random complete blocks model in which the main factor was two irrigation regimes consisting 33% and 66% evapotranpiration (ETc). The minor factor included six different components with adding 4 and 6 g/kg hyrogel, Firozkoh and Semnan zeolite to the soil. The control blocks had no amendment and irrigated with 100% ETc. The results indicated that the growth indices are the same in treatment containing 4 and 6 g/kg hydrogel and receiving irrigation water 66% ETc, with the control. Thus, application of 4 and 6 g/kg hydrogel reduced the required water, 1/3 of the control for both plants. However, application of 4 and 6 g/kg Firozkoh and Semnan zeolites reduced the required water, 1/3 of the control only for Cupressus arizonica. Sunflower method indicated a considerable increase in the time required to reach permanent wilting point (PWP). Samples containing 6 g/kg polymer had the maximum period to reach PWP (22 days) compared to the control samples (12 days).