The cell membrane of Sphingomonas contains glycosphingolipids, which is more hydrophobic than lipopolysaccharide. In addition, since Sphingomonas has efficient metabolic regulation mechanism and gene regulation ability, it has significant application potential in welan gum synthesis, environmental remediation, and promotion of plant growth. However, research on genomics in China has not been paid enough attention, resulting in no breakthrough in the research on the metabolic mechanism of Sphingomonas. Therefore, this paper reviewed the systematic classification, genomics, metabolic regulation mechanism, and application of Sphingomonas and analyzed the metabolic mechanism of welan gum produced by Sphingomonas from the genetic level, providing a theoretical basis for the subsequent studies on high-density fermentation and industrial production of Sphingomonas, and thereby further developing its potential application in biotechnology.