[Objective] Soil hydraulic properties under long-term vegetation restoration play a critical role in the ecological service functions of vegetation construction. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms by which vegetation attributes influence soil hydraulic properties under different vegetation restoration types. [Methods] Four typical plantations and natural forests in the Loess Plateau region of western Shanxi, including Pinus tabulaeformis plantation, Platycladus orientalis plantation, Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, and one natural secondary forest, were selected as the research subjects. Understory vegetation diversity, vegetation attributes, and soil water retention properties were measured to compare and analyze the influence of vegetation restoration methods on soil hydraulic properties. [Results] 1) The natural secondary forest showed significantly higher tree height and branch height, and greater canopy width compared to the plantations. For instance, the values of tree height, branch height, and canopy width of the natural secondary forest were 58.84%, 254.4% and 32.59% higher, respectively, than those of the R. pseudoacacia plantation. Additionally, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Simpson’s dominance index of the natural secondary forest were significantly higher than those of the plantations. 2) Regarding soil hydraulic properties, the natural secondary forest exhibited higher peak volumetric water content, saturated water content, and field capacity during the growing season. The soil volumetric water content in the plantations, especially in the R. pseudoacacia plantation, was consistently lower than that in the natural secondary forest. 3) Both soil properties and vegetation attributes had significant relationships with soil hydraulic properties. For instance, the total nitrogen content and tree height of the natural secondary forest were 52.67% and 37.04% higher, respectively, than those of the R. pseudoacacia plantation. The saturated water content of the natural secondary forest was 6.09% higher than that of the R. pseudoacacia plantation. [Conclusion] The natural secondary forest demonstrates clear advantages in regulating soil water balance and improving soil hydraulic properties. In contrast, the plantations, due to their simpler vegetation structure, shows deficiencies in improving soil hydraulic properties. Therefore, vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau should emphasize biodiversity enhancement, fully utilize the advantages of natural secondary forests while integrating plantations to achieve sustainable development.