By field investigation in combination of indoor control and leaching, a study was conducted on the accumulation amount, water-holding capacity, water-holding rate and water-absorption rate of the litters under four main forests(evergreen broad-leaved forest, broadleaved deciduous forest, conifer-broadleaf forest and evergreen coniferous forest) in the Longmen Mountains fault zone. The accumulation amount of litters under the forests decreased in the order of evergreen coniferous forest(8.26 t/hm²) > broadleaved deciduous forest(6.80 t/hm²) > conifer-broad leaf forest(5.52 t/hm²) > evergreen broad-leaved forest(4.61 t/hm²), and the storage percentage of semi-decomposed litters was higher than that of un-decomposed litters. The water-holding capacity and water-holding rate of litters at different decomposition degree changed logarithmically, while the water-absorption rate assumed a power function of soaking time. Under the four main forests, the litters in semi-decomposed layer had a stronger water-holding capability than that in decomposed layer, and the water-holding capability of litters under broadleaved deciduous forest and conifer-broadleaf forest was stronger than the others, while the litters of evergreen broad-leaved forest had the lowest water-holding capability. The results indicated that we should fully exert the functions of soil and water conservation of the semi-decomposed litters, and select broadleaved deciduous forest and conifer-broadleaf forest needle modes in recovering and reconstructing forest vegetation.