[Objective] Biomechanical properties of plants are an important part of studies dealing with the use of plants for soil and water conservation because of the important role plants play in soil stabilization, water conservation, and water flow and sediment retention. The objective of this paper was to search the CNKI and Web of Science databases to find literature related to plant biomechanical properties in order to highlight the current status and development trend of biomechanical properties of plants related to soil and water conservation. [Methods] Citespace and VOSviewer were used to visualize the annual number of published papers, highly cited journals, primary research countries, primary research authors, keywords, etc. [Results] The number of publications on the biomechanical properties plants in the field of soil and water conservation was low during 1990—2010. After 2010, there was a significant increase in the number of both domestic and foreign publications. The United States ranked first in the number of papers published; China ranked third in the number of papers published. The international influence of research results needs to be improved. Four major research teams led by Hu Xiasong, Ge Rile, Liu Jing, and Chen Lihua have been formed domestically, but no authoritative large team has been formed internationally. [Conclusion] Domestic research has mainly focused on the analysis of biomechanical properties of desert plants and slope plants, placing emphasis on the influence of plant biomechanical properties on windbreak and soil-fixing effects. International research has been more diversified, with studies conducted on the role of root reinforcement of slopes, the windbreak and erosion resistance role of desert pioneer plants, and the role of aquatic plants in wave attenuation.