To provide a granular water-retentive agent for soil conditioning, which comprises a base material and a water-soluble cellulose ether, an has a particle size such that 10-80 wt.% of the granules pass through a 3.5-mesh sieve (sieve opening: 5.6 mm) as described in JIS Z8801.

When the granular water-retentive agent for soil conditioning is spreaded on a place where an improved water retention is desired, the granules are not dispersed by wind because they contains a less amount of fine powder. Once these granules absorb water by rain or irrigation water, they are caked with each other to become solid and form a water-retentive layer so that they are hard to be dispersed. Therefore, the granular water- retentive agent does not produce a water-content irregularity, even if it is applied onto a sandy soil. Where it is applied onto a sandy soil having some water-retentive force or a place where the soil gets a water-retentive force and become viscous, the agent does not cause reduction of gas phace, which is disadvantageous for plant growth.