Abstract: The study of potential evapotranspiration has important theoretical and practical significance for a profound understanding of regional ecological and environmental problems and hydrological cycle processes. Based on the Penman-Monteith model, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of potential evapotranspiration in the Loess Plateau from 1961 to 2019, and combined with land use data, explored the differences in potential evapotranspiration of different vegetation types and their influence factors. The results showed that: (1) From 1961 to 2019, the Loess Plateau showed warming and drying trends, among which the mean maximum temperature, mean minimum temperature and mean temperature all showed a significant increasing trend. The average relative humidity, wind speed and sunshine duration all showed a significant decreasing trend. The precipitation decreased insignificantly. (2) From the perspective of spatial distribution pattern, the annual average, growing season, spring, summer and autumn potential evapotranspiration was high in the north and south, low in the east and west of the Loess Plateau. The potential evapotranspiration in spring increased significantly at a rate of 0.41 mm/a (P < 0.05) from 1961 to 2019. (3) From 1981 to 2019, the variation trend of average potential evapotranspiration in the Loess Plateau was 1.35 mm/a, of which 62.98% showed a significant increasing trend (P < 0.05), mostly distributed in the eastern and western regions. (4) From 1961 to 2019, the potential evapotranspiration of different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau showed no significant increasing trend, and the average potential evapotranspiration for many years was grassland > farmland > coniferous forest > meadow > broadleaved forest > shrub. From 1981 to 2019, the potential evapotranspiration growth trend of different vegetation types was broadleaved forest > coniferous forest > shrub > farmland > meadow > grassland. (5) Average wind speed and average relative humidity were the most important meteorological factors affecting vegetation types in the Loess Plateau, followed by sunshine duration. The potential evapotranspiration increased with the increase of average wind speed and sunshine hours, and decreased with the increase of average relative humidity. Temperature indicators had little effect on the potential evapotranspiration of different vegetation types. The results showed that the increase potential evapotranspiration of different vegetation types and the decrease in regional precipitation may exacerbate water shortages. Therefore, in the future vegetation restoration work in the Loess Plateau region, priority should be given to the tree species with less water consumption, the structure of vegetation community should be optimized, the light, water and heat resources should be fully utilized, and water storage facilities should be built to support the sustainable development of the regional ecological environment.