Understanding the soil health status of plantations and its limiting factors is crucial for preventing soil degradation and maintaining plantation sustainability. This study investigated five typical plantation types in the loess hilly region of Ningxia: Prunus sibirica pure forest, Caragana korshinskii pure forest, Hippophae rhamnoides pure forest, Prunus sibirica×Caragana korshinskii mixed forest, and Prunus sibirica×Hippophae rhamnoides mixed forest. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties were analyzed across these forest types. A minimum data set (MDS) was established using principal component analysis, and the soil health status was evaluated through a soil health index (SHI) and diagnosis of obstacle factors. The results revealed significant differences in soil properties among the forest types (P< 0.05). Soil water content, total porosity, organic carbon, total potassium, available potassium, β-1, 4-glucosidase activity, microbial biomass carbon, and bacterial Chao1 index were highest in the Prunus sibirica×Hippophae rhamnoides mixed forest and the Prunus sibirica pure forest. In contrast, bulk density, available phosphorus, bacterial Shannon index, fungal Chao1, and Simpson index were most favorable in the Caragana korshinskii pure forest. The MDS identified total porosity, organic carbon, available potassium, pH, microbial biomass nitrogen, and fungal Chao1 index as key indicators influencing soil health across plantations. The SHI values of the five forest types ranged from 0.48 to 0.59, with an overall ranking as follows: Prunus sibirica×Hippophae rhamnoides mixed forest>Prunus sibirica×Caragana korshinskii mixed forest>Hippophae rhamnoides pure forest>Prunus sibirica pure forest>Caragana korshinskii pure forest. Obstacle degree analysis indicated that soil water content, bulk density, and pH posed moderate constraints (10%-20%), while other factors were minor obstacles (<10%). Soil water content was identified as the most limiting factor for soil health. These findings demonstrate that mixed forests, particularly those combining Prunus sibirica with Hippophae rhamnoides or Caragana korshinskii, exhibit better soil health in the region. Soil moisture is a critical factor affecting plantation soil health, and this study provides a valuable reference for developing soil health evaluation models, guiding soil management practices, and optimizing stand structure in the Loess Hilly Region of Ningxia.