<p>Biotization with bacterial inoculants combined with water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) can modulate the development and primary metabolism of medicinal plants such as <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth, thereby enhancing the production of compounds with biotechnological relevance. We hypothesized that biotization with <i>Bacillus</i> inocula mitigates the negative effects of water deficit on the growth and metabolism of <i>L. origanoides</i>, promoting morphological development and accumulation of primary metabolites under both stressed and non-stressed conditions. To test this, microcuttings were grown in vitro and subjected to four treatments: control, water deficit (1% PEG-6000), biotization with a <i>Bacillus</i> consortium (<i>B. subtilis</i>, <i>B. megaterium</i>, and <i>B. cereus</i>), and biotization combined with water deficit. Morphological parameters and primary metabolites (photosynthetic pigments, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and nitrate) were assessed after 25 days. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Biotization significantly promoted the accumulation of chlorophyll <i>b</i>, soluble proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and nitrate, especially under non-stress conditions. However, water stress, even in the presence of biotization, impaired plant growth and shoot biomass. Under well-hydrated conditions, biotized plants exhibited signs of metabolic redirection toward defense-related compounds, which may have contributed to reduced biometric performance. These findings indicate that <i>Bacillus</i> based biotization promotes the accumulation of primary metabolites in <i>L. origanoides</i>, particularly under non-stress conditions. However, its application under water deficit did not alleviate growth impairment, suggesting that its benefits may be condition-dependent and more associated with metabolic stimulation than with drought tolerance.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>