<p>Climate change is expected to increase extreme droughts and rainstorms, intensifying soil drying-rewetting cycles. These episodes can cause physiological stress to plants and interacting microorganisms. Invasive species may respond better than natives, but the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) remains unclear. Additionally, perennials, with more extensive root systems and resource storage, may sustain stronger AMF relationships than annuals, potentially influencing invasion success. To investigate the interactive effects of plant invasive status (invasive vs. native), plant life cycle (annual vs. perennial), drought (drought vs. no-drought vs. drought-rewetting), and AMF treatments on plant growth, we conducted a greenhouse experiment in China, growing 14 plant species (6 invasive and 8 native species) from three families (Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Poaceae) individually in 2.5 L plastic pots under a fully crossed factorial combination of the factors above. Results show that invasive species produced significantly more aboveground biomass and belowground biomass than native species, and annual plants outperformed perennials in aboveground biomass. Drought strongly reduced growth, with more significant impacts on invasives than natives and on perennials than annuals. Rewetting reversed these effects and favored invasives, with aboveground biomass increasing more in invasives than natives. Perennials allocated more biomass to roots, especially under drought. AMF inoculation reduced plant growth regardless of invasive status, life cycle, and drought treatment. These results suggest that climate change-induced drought-rewetting cycles may favor invasive over native plants, with life cycle and AMF interactions further shaping outcomes. Integrating these factors is crucial for understanding future plant community dynamics and ecosystem functioning under climate change.</p>