Chitosan coated humic acid (CTS/HA) microcapsules as a new kind of water retention materials were prepared using chitosan (CTS) as wall materials and humic acid (HA) as the cores. The structure and surface morphology of CTS/HA were characterized and observed by fourier transform infrared Spectrum (FTIR), polarizing microscope (POM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The influences of m(CTS)/m(HA), curing agent content and stirring rate were discussed on the surface morphology of microcapsules, and the water-retention of CTS/HA was also tested. The results showed that CTS/HA displayed good surface morphology microcapsule when the m(CTS)/m(HA) was 1:3, the content of curing agent was 1% of the total mass for CTS/HA and the stirring rate was 500 r/min. In addition, the microcapsule had good water absorption and water retention performance with water absorption rate and water retention rate as high as 248% and 158% in 12 h, respectively.