Background <p>Waterlogging is an important environmental factor limiting the cultivation of <i>Actinidia arguta</i>.</p> Aim <p>Using the main cultivars of ‘Kuilv’ and ‘Lvwang’, the waterlogging stress was simulated by the ‘double pot method’. The purpose of this study was to explore the physiological response, key indicators, and evaluation methods of <i>A. arguta</i> germplasm resources under waterlogging stress.</p> Results <p>Through the observation of the correlation analysis of the R value, day 6 of the waterlogging treatment was selected as the suitable treatment to evaluate the waterlogging tolerance of <i>A. arguta</i> after subjecting ‘Kuilv’ and ‘Lvwang’ with differential tolerance to varying waterlogging treatments. The waterlogging index and malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugar contents were selected as the key physiological indicators via stepwise linear regression analysis of 41 <i>A. arguta</i> resources. Based on their tolerance levels, the <i>A. arguta</i> resources were divided into four levels: highly tolerant, medium tolerant, less sensitive, and sensitive to waterlogging. Moreover, a morphological description method was established based on the morphological characteristics of <i>A. arguta</i> under waterlogging. The study has identified 0904 and Jinong No 1 germplasms as highly potential tolerant germplasms for future <i>A.arguta</i> improvement activities. Our research provided a theoretical basis for further breeding research on waterlogging-tolerant resources of <i>A. arguta.</i></p>