Blue light emitting SrSn(OH)(6) nano-rods were prepared in aqueous medium at room temperature. Presence of lanthanide ions in reaction medium during synthesis of nano-rods, leads to significant changes in the morphology of the nano-rods. Based on luminescence studies emission in the blue region from SrSn(OH)(6) nano-rods has been attributed to radiative recombination of self trapped excitons in the lattice. SrSn(OH)(6) nano-rods were doped with lanthanide ions like Eu3+, Tb3+ and Dy3+ and their luminescence studies revealed that there exists energy transfer from host to lanthanide ions. From the luminescence studies on Eu3+ doped samples, it is confirmed that up to 1.5 at%, Eu3+ ions get incorporated at Sr2+ site in SrSn(OH)(6) lattice and beyond which a separate Eu3+ containing phase is formed. Part of the europium ions also exists as Eu2+ species in the lattice as confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.