Quaternized chitosan coated humic acid (QCTS/HA) microcapsules as a new kind of water retention materials were prepared using quaternized chitosan (QCTS) as wall materials and humic acid (HA) as the cores. The performances of the microcapsules were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, polarizing microscope (POM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM),respectively. This paper explores the optimum conditions of QCTS/HA microcapsules by three factors: the core-wall ratio [m(HA): m (QCTS)], curing agent content and stirring rate. Micro-structures of microcapsule products prepared under optimal conditions were observed, and the water-absorption and water-retention properties of the product was tested. The results showed that QCTS/HA microcapsule had the best performance when the ration of m(HA) to m(QCTS) was 3:1, combined by 1% curing agent of the total mass for QCTS/HA microcapsule and a stirring rate of 500 r/min. Compared with CTS / HA microcapsules under the same conditions, the pore structure on the surface of QCTS / HA microcapsules is relatively perfect and well-distributed, and the quantity of pores are quite great . In addition, the microcapsule has better water absorption and water retention performance with water absorption rate and water retention rate as high as 348% and 208% in 12 h, respectively.