In order to explore the dynamic changes of soil hydrothermal environment and spring maize growth under different planting patterns in semi-humid and drought-prone areas of the Loess Plateau, field positioning experiments were carried out in Huating Agricultural Technology Promotion Center of Gansu from 2017 to 2018, and six planting patterns were set up, which were flat seedbed with film mulching (WM), flat seedbed with half film mulching (HM), ridge-furrow with polyethylene film and straw mulching (MRM), ridge-furrow with full film mulching (WRF), ridge-furrow with straw mulching (SM) and flat seedbed without mulching (CK), and the water and heat status of soil profiles in different fertility period of spring maize, crop growth characteristics, crop yield and components during harvest period were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the regulation of mulching planting pattern on soil temperature was mainly manifested in the seedling stage. The film mulching treatment had a warming effect compared with CK. During the whole growth period, the average soil temperature increased by 1.44~2.62℃, while the SM showed a cooling effect, with an average temperature lowering of 0.51℃. MRM, WRF, HM and SM had significant effect on moisture conservation during the whole growth period of spring maize. While, WM was not conducive to precipitation collection, it only had the effect of moisture conservation at the early stage of spring maize growth, with the increasing of crop water consumption at the middle and later stages, the soil moisture content was lower than CK. Compared with CK, the mulching method could increase the yield and water use efficiency of spring maize, among them, the WRF and MRM had the most significant effect. The yield and water use efficiency of WRF and MRM increased by 32.96% and 17.12%, 33.45% and 18.66%, respectively. SM showed a reduction in yield, which was 11.84% and 9.93% lower than CK. Considering the soil hydrothermal environment, spring maize growth characteristics, yield, water use efficiency and other indicators, the ridge-furrow with polyethylene film and straw mulching was the best planting pattern in the semi-humid and drought-prone areas of the Loess Plateau. This study could provide a theoretical basis for rational selection of cover farming measures in the semi-humid and drought-prone areas of the Loess Plateau, and had important significance for the sustainability of farmland.