In the present study AgNPs were synthesized through simple green route using leaf extract of Crossandra nilotica which act as combined reductant and surfactant at once. The bio-reduced AgNPs were appropriately characterized for studying their structural and optical properties. TEM micrograph confirms the formation of spherical nanoparticles without any agglomeration and particle size range was found to be 12 nm. UV-Vis study elucidates the presence of single plasmon peak, attesting the spherical nanoparticles formation. FTIR results revealed that different functional groups of leaf extract are responsible for the reduction of silver ions and their stabilization. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.