This paper describes the potential effect of anionic surfactant on the morphology of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanostructures during hydrothermal synthesis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as an anionic surfactant. Various concentrations of SDS were used to study morphological changes in HA due to the presence of the surfactant. The final morphology, after treatment by a hydrothermal method, revealed that the anionic surfactant induced growth in one direction (a-axis) and inhibited growth in the other (c-axis) based on the charge distribution on the crystal faces of HA. Further structural analysis (by X-ray diffraction) confirmed this growth along the a-axis. In-vitro cellular analysis revealed that the plate-like nanoparticles possess better bioactivity than their bulk counterparts. Therefore, HA nanoplates could be used for applications that include controlled drug delivery and bone mineralization. © 2019 The Society of Powder Technology Japan