In order to reveal the mechanical anisotropy and water softening characteristics of layered phyllite in Wenshan area of Yunnan Province due to its bedding structure, phyllite standard samples with different water content conditions and bedding angles were prepared, and indoor uniaxial compression and conventional triaxial compression tests were carried out respectively. The results show that the anisotropy of the mechanical properties of layered phyllite and the properties of water softening are subject to the bedding structure and composition formed by its original sedimentation. It is precisely because of the weak cementation between bedding planes that the phyllite samples under different bedding planes show differences in failure mechanisms and mechanical anisotropy. This weak surface effect leads to a U-shaped change in the mechanical strength of phyllite as the bedding angle gradually increases from 0° to 90°, and the failure mechanism of phyllite samples gradually evolves from shear failure to compressive tensile failure. In addition, the water content has a great influence on the mechanical properties of phyllite. Under dry conditions, phyllite is more prone to brittle failure. After water saturation, the ductility and plasticity of phyllite are improved, the mechanical strength is reduced and the brittle failure characteristics are weakened.