Pollen, serving as the essential carrier of plant male reproductive cells, encapsulates a complete set of haploid nuclear genomic information specific to a given plant species. The long-term preservation of pollen holds immense significance for botanical research, crop breeding, agricultural production, and the conservation of plant genetic diversity. This article comprehensively reviews the factors affecting pollen viability and the methods for its detection. It also summarizes the research advancements in pollen preservation techniques, such as drying, low-temperature, ultra-low temperature, and organic solvent storage methods. The authors further analyze the applications of pollen preservation in plant breeding and genetic resource conservation and deliberate on the prospects of future research. The aim is to offer a reference for promoting innovation in pollen preservation technologies.