The HoMn2O5 nanorods were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. The length of nanorods is readily controllable with basically constant diameter. HoMn2O5 nanorods show recognizable divagation at T-N(Ho) of 13 K between FC and ZFC curve due to the contribution of the magnetic ordering of holmium. Size-dependent magnetic properties (i.e. a critical length for magnetization) of HoMn2O5 nanorods can be ascribed to the competition between surface strain and uncompensated spin at the surface. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.