The effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators, paclobutrazol (1000 mg/L), chlorcholine chloride (200 mg/L) and gibberellic acid (100 mg/L) on leaf water status in grapevine graftlings of cv Cardinal was investigated. After stratification and waxing, young vines were planted into vegetation pots and grown in a glasshouse. Foliar treatments were applied once, twice or three times during the vegetative period, starting on 25 July and every 15 days thereafter. Values of total water potential (T_L) and of relative water content (RWC) were measured over the same period. Results indicate a tendency of increased T_L values in leaves of plants repeatedly treated with a growth inhibitor paclobutrazol (-1.18 Mpa) compared with untreated (-1.36 Mpa) as well as plants treated twice with gibberellic acid (-1.37 Mpa). RWC in leaves was significantly increased in the second half of the vegetative period when paclobutrazol was applied twice (78%) in comparison with control (75%). Values of both investigated indices point to a more favorable water status of plants treated during the vegetative period with growth inhibitors compared with untreated and plants treated with gibberellic acid.