The invention discloses novel Cr < 3 + >-doped garnet structure near-infrared fluorescent powder and a preparation method of a near-infrared light source. The general chemical formula of the fluorescent powder is A3-yCayB2-x-zCzD3O12: xCr < 3 + >, aRE2O3 (0<x<0.5, 1 <= y < 3, 0< x + z < = 2, 0 < z < 1.5, and 0 < = a < = 0.5), wherein A is one or a combination of more of Lu, Y, Gd, La and the like;B is one or a combination of Mg, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Co, Ti and the like, C is one or a combination of Sc, In, Al, Ga and the like, and D is one or a combination of Ge, Si, Ti, Sn and the like; RE is oneor a combination of more of Yb, Nd, Ce, Er and Pr; Cr<3 +> is luminescent ion. The prepared fluorescent powder can be effectively excited by blue light and ultraviolet light, and the packaged near-infrared light source has strong near-infrared broadband emission, so that the fluorescent powder can be widely applied to the fields of plant illumination, food detection and the like.