Superhydrophobic surface with non-wetting and self-cleaning properties has raised considerable concern for its vast application prospect. Preparation study of superhydrophobic surface on magnesium and its alloy is of great significance to deepen understanding of material characteristics, expand the application scope of materialss and improve application performance of materials. Relevant theoretical basis of superhydrophobic surface as well as two models in superhydrophobic state and their relationship were presented. In addition, effects of surface fine structure and solid surface chemical composition on contact angle were discussed. By exploring two constitution approaches of superhydrophobic surface: constituting special fine structure on substances of low surface energy and modifying fine structure surface by using substances of low surface energy, research progress of preparation technology of superhydrophobic surface on the substrate of magnesium alloy was summarized emphati-cally, and the development of superhydrophobic surface was expected.