The invention discloses a spherical lanthanum oxide. The average particle size of spherical lanthanum oxide is 150 nm-1.2 mum, the specific surface area after roasting at 1000 DEG C is 1-7 m<2>/g, and the specific surface area after roasting at 500 DEG C is 120-144 m<2>/g. The invention also discloses a preparation method of the spherical lanthanum oxide, and the method includes the following steps: (1) mixing lanthanum salt, hydrous ethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and short-chain organic acid, stirring the mixture, dissolving the mixture, and performing a hydrothermal reaction; and (2) subjecting the mixture to the reaction for 1-8 hours at 160-240 DEG C, cooling the mixture to obtain the precipitate, and drying the precipitate to obtain the spherical lanthanum oxide. The lanthanum oxide prepared by the invention is spherical, has uniform morphology, good degree of crystallization, good dispersibility, high heat stability, and big specific surface area, and is suitable for the application on the motor vehicle exhaust.