Plant species composition and community characteristics are the basis for the structure, function and dynamics of forest ecosystems, which determine forest ecosystem services such as productivity, carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Plant species composition and community characteristics are important indicators for long-term positional observation of biological elements in terrestrial ecosystems by the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and the Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CNERN). Mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest is a zonal vegetation type in northern subtropical China, and respond sensitively to environmental change. Subalpine coniferous forest is a typical vegetation type in the upper part of the vertical belt spectrum of the Shennongjia mountainous area, preserving a large area of natural primary forests that are the only remaining ones in Central China, and it is an important ecological barrier in the Qinba mountainous area. Two 100 m × 100 m long-term monitoring sample plots of subalpine coniferous forest and mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest were set up in 2001 and in 2008, respectively, by the Shennongjia Forest Ecosystem Research Station (National Field Station for Forest Ecosystems in Shennongjia, also known as Shennongjia Biodiversity Research Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences). Plant community inventories were conducted in 2010 in accordance with CERN and CNERN monitoring specifications. Tree layer surveys were conducted in 100 sub-samples of 10 m × 10 m, and shrub and herb layer surveys were conducted in 13 sub-samples of 10 m × 10 m. In the tree layer, all woody plants with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm were surveyed, and the indicators included plant species name, DBH, height, etc. In the shrub layer, woody plants with DBH < 1 cm were monitored, and the indicators included species name, abundance, average basal diameter, average height, and coverage, etc. In the herb layer, herbaceous plants were monitored, and the indicators included species name, abundance, average height, and coverage. Six data tables for this dataset were formed through statistical organization: data sheet on species composition of forest plant communities in the tree layer, data sheet on the species composition of the shrub layer of forest plant communities, data sheet on the species composition of the herbaceous layer of forest plant communities, data sheet on characterization of tree layer communities of forest plant communities, data sheet on characterization of shrub layer communities of forest plant communities, data sheet on characterization of herbaceous layer communities of forest plant communities. This dataset can provide background data for in-depth investigation into the impact of environmental changes on the community structure and productivity of subtropical forest ecosystems, as well as support the evaluation of ecosystem service functions, biodiversity conservation and ecological quality monitoring in the region.