[Objective] The litter storage and the water-holding capacities in the main forest types in Xiaoxingan Mountains were studied to provide important data and theoretical basis for the evaluation of forest ecological service function in Xiaoxingan Mountains. [Methods] 6 kinds of typical forest types were selected to set sample plot and measure the litter reserves, and the soaking method was adopted to measure the water-holding characteristics of litters, then the maximum interception and effective interception were calculated. [Results] the litter biomass of main forest types ranged from 13.53 t/hm² to 29.48 t/hm², and the biomass of the half-decomposed litter of the majority of forest types was higher than that of non-decomposed litters. The rate of water-holding capacity and water-holding capacity of litter layer in different forest types were different. The ratio of maximum water-holding capacity varied from 243.19% to 524.0%, while the maximum water-holding capacity ranged from 56.81 t/hm² to 106.90 t/hm². The performance between maximum interception and maximum effective interception of litter layer in different forest types was also slightly different. The maximum interception varied from 33.43 t/hm² to 64.42 t/hm², while the effective interception ranged from 24.91 t/hm² to 48.38 t/hm². The relationships between water-holding rate of litters and soak time in different forest types could be significantly fitted by Logarithmic equation, and the relationships between water absorption rate and soak time were significantly described by power function. [Conclusion] The litter reserves and its water characteristics in different forest types were obviously different due to the tree species characteristics, litter reserves, decomposition rate and forest ages.