Soil hydrological properties play a key role in the balance of water and heat, as well as the stability of ecosystems. Understanding the differences in soil hydrological properties between rubber-woody plant and rubber-herb agroforestry systems (RW and RH) is important to construct suitable rubber-based agroforestry systems. Soil physical and hydrological properties from 105 soil cores were measured in three types of rubber plantations in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Results showed that at depth of 0-10 cm, the soil bulk density was highest in rubber monoculture (RM), which also had the lowest soil porosity. Soil initial gravimetric water content in different types of plantations followed the order RH > RW > RM at depth of 0-10 cm. Coefficient of variation among soil saturated water capacity, capillary holding capacity, field water capacity and initial gravimetric water content in different plantations followed the order RM > RW > RH. Correlation coefficients among soil saturated water capacity, capillary holding capacity and field water capacity were 0.882-0.990, whereas those between initial gravimetric water content and them were 0.290-0.547. These results indicate that the soil water retention capacity in different types of plantations followed the order RH > RW > RM. Intercropping can improve soil structure and hydrological properties of topsoil, particularly intercropping herbs with rubber was better than woody plants for improving the soil hydrological functions in rubber plantation.