Forskolin, a category of labdane-type diterpenoid, has significant medicinal value in anticancer, antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, and heart-strengthening treatments. The primary supply of natural forskolin is its extraction in the cork tissue from the cause of Coleus forskohlii. However, conventional modes of extraction pose several challenges. Recently, the making of microbial cell factories to create medicinal natural products via synthetic biological methods has effectively solved the present problems and it is an investigation hotspot in this subject. This review summarizes the current progress within the heterologous synthesis of forskolin via synthetic biological technology, analyzes the present challenges, and proposes corresponding strategies.