Abstract The objective of this work was to select genotypes of Coffea arabica with good yield and potential tolerance to water deficit, as well as to try to understand the physiological and anatomical mechanisms involved in the adaptability of these genotypes to water stress. The physiological, anatomical, and agronomic traits of 19 genotypes of C. arabica were evaluated under the two following water conditions: regular irrigation and no irrigation (soil water deficit). The 'IPR 100', 2, 5, and 7 genotypes showed agronomic, physiological, and anatomical traits that contributed to a better water status maintenance in the initial development of coffee plants. Based on these results, these genotypes are potentially tolerant to water deficit. The 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 'Bourbon Amarelo IAC J10' genotypes show a lower adaptability of the anatomical structures under soil-water deficit conditions. The coffee tree genotypes display leaf plasticity, such as the thickness of palisade and spongy parenchyma, and the number, position, dimensions, and mobility of stomata under water deficit conditions.