[Objective] The hydrological characteristics of typical forest litters and soil in Southwest Hubei Province were studied, and the water-holding capacity of different forest stands were analyzed and compared in order to provide a theoretical basis and scientific reference for selecting suitable afforestation species and creating reasonable soil and water conservation forests in the region. [Methods] The study was conducted for five typical forest stands in the national forest farm of Jinzi Mountain in Lichuan City. Field survey and sampling, the cutting ring method, and the indoor soaking method were used. The litter storage capacity, water-holding process, and water-holding capacity, as well as the water-holding capacity and infiltration process of the soil layer in each forest stand were compared and analyzed. [Results] ① Litter storage for the five forest stands followed the order of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest > Larix kaempferi plantation > Cryptomeria fortunei plantation > artificial plantation of Liriodendron chinense. The maximum water-holding capacity varied from 13.94 to 29.12 t/hm², which was consistent with the change of litter storage. ② The litter water-holding capacity and immersion time exhibited a logarithmic relationship. The water absorption rate and immersion time followed a power function relationship. ③ The maximum water-holding capacity of the 0—40 cm soil layer ranged from 277.02 to 334.12 t/hm², and followed the order of artificial plantation of Liriodendron chinense> deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest> Larix kaempferi plantation> Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation> Cryptomeria ortune plantation. The average infiltration rate varied from 6.89 to 22.30 mm/min. The steady infiltration time ranged from 18.40 to 25.73 min. The average infiltration rate of soil varied from 6.89 to 22 mm/min. The steady infiltration time ranged from 18.40 to 25.73 min. The best soil permeability was found in the artificial plantation of Liriodendron chinense, followed by the deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest. ④ From the analysis using the coordinate integrated assessment method, we observed the greatest comprehensive water-holding performance for the deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest. However, in terms of the water-holding performance of litter and soil, the Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation and the artificial plantation of Liriodendron chinense, respectively, were the best. [Conclusion] For the litter layer, Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation had the best water-holding performance. For the soil layer, Liriodendron chinense plantation had the best water-holding performance. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of all indicators, the overall water-holding performance of broad-leaved mixed forest was the best. Therefore, in Southwest Hubei Province, we recommend adoption of a close-to-natural forest culture and management method, planting coniferous and broad-leaved species appropriately, and increasing the proportion of mixed forests so as to increase the hydrological benefits of litter, and to increase soil aeration and permeability, thereby maximizing the water-holding capacity of litter and soil under different forest stands.