Abstract: In order to explore the law of water holding capacity of litter layer of different forest types and tree species in the artificial young forests in subtropical regions, by taking the artificial young forest of 12 tree species in the subtropical regions as the research object, the water holding capacity of litter layer of various forest types and tree species was compared and analyzed by using the field investigation and indoor soaking method. The results showed that: (1) The maximum water-holding rate (293.05%) and maximum water holding capacity (20.73 t·hm^-2) of Mytilaria laosensis were the highest, while the maximum water-holding rate (147.63%) and maximum water holding capacity (0.7 t·hm^-2) of Cryptomeria japonica were the lowest. Among the three forest types, the maximum water-holding rate of the deciduous broad-leaved tree species was significantly higher than that of the coniferous tree species, but there was no significant difference between the deciduous broad-leaved tree species and the evergreen broad-leaved tree species. There was no significant difference in the maximum water holding capacity among different forest types. (2) The effective interception rate (236.87%) and effective interception amount (11.28 t·hm^-2) of Mytilaria laosensis were the highest, while the effective interception rate (106.49%) and effective interception amount (0.26 t·hm^-2) of Cryptomeria japonica were the lowest. Among the three forest types, the effective interception rate of the broadleaved tree species was significantly higher than that of the coniferous tree species, but there was no significant difference in the effective interception amount among different forest types. The comprehensive analysis showed that the water holding capacity of the litter layer of Mytilaria laosensis, Liquidambar formosana, Cinnamomum camphora and Schima superba was stronger in the stage of artificial young forests in subtropical regions. Therefore, the afforestation in the subtropical regions could consider selecting the above tree species with strong water holding capacity in the litter layer to reduce the soil and water loss in the young forest stage.