Shrub is one of the main vegetation types in the karst area. It is of great significance to study the water holding characteristics of litter in karst area for water conservation and ecological restoration. Using indoor immersion and drying methods, this study aimed to investigate the water-holding properties of the three types of shrub communities and mixed shrubs at three different slope positions in the karst region. The results showed that the total litter accumulation in the three shrub communities was characterized by Viburnum propinquum Hemsl>Platycarya longipes Wu>Itea ilicifolia Oliv, the total litter accumulation of in the three slopes position was expressed as bottom>middle>top of the slope. Regardless of the different species or slopes, the litter accumulation of the semi-decomposed layer was greater than the undecomposed layer. The maximum hydroscopic water amount was Platycarya longipes Wu>Itea ilicifolia Oliv>Viburnum propinquum Hemsl. The maximum hydroscopic water amount was middle>bottom>top of the slope. Through the comparative analysis of different shrub communities and slope positions, it was concluded that the water holding capacity was the greatest for forest litter of Platycarya longipes Wu and at the middle slope position the water holding capacity was great. There was a logarithmic relationship between the amount of hydroscopic water and immersion time of the litter in different communities and different slope positions. A power function best described the relationship between water absorption rate and immersion time.