[Objective] The water-holding characteristics and strength characteristics of unsaturated lime-stabilized loess cushion layers were investigated, and the influence of different lime contents on its matric suction and strength was revealed, in order to provide guidance and reference for the construction and theoretical research of loess building foundations and subgrades. [Methods] Laboratory soil-water characteristic tests and unsaturated triaxial tests were conducted to study the soil-water characteristics, unsaturated strength, and softening constitutive model of lime-stabilized unsaturated loess. Four lime contents(0, 3%, 6%, and 9%) were set to reveal the influence of lime content on matric suction. The matric suction was set at 0, 50, 100 kPa, and 200 kPa, respectively, to explore its influence on strength. [Results] ① Matric suction increased with increasing lime content.② A soil-water characteristic model considering the influence of lime content was proposed, and this model could accurately describe the soil-water characteristics of lime-stabilized loess. A nonlinear model capable of describing the softening behavior of lime-stabilized loess was established by introducing a damage variable.③ The cohesion and internal friction angle of the stabilized soil increased as the lime content increased. When the lime content was 9%, with the increase of matric suction, the cohesion of the lime-stabilized loess gradually increased, while the change in the internal friction angle was very small. [Conclusion] The lime content on the soil-water characteristics of stabilized loess has a significant influence. Additionally, the nonlinear model can accurately describe the stress-strain curve of lime-stabilized soil, yielding relatively good results.