Large diameter semi-organiC L-lySine monohydrochloride dihydrate (L-LMHCl) single crystal was grown using Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy (SR) method. The solubility and the nucleation of the material for different temperatures have been studied. The metastable zone width for L-LMHCl has been investigated. The growth rate along < 0 (1) over bar1 >, < 01 (1) over bar >, < 011 > and < 100 > orientations was studied. The effect of gravity driven concentration gradient on SR method was investigated. The grown crystal was characterized by transmission and dielectric studies. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.