The developments of rapid, simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly procedures for the synthesis of nanoparticles are very important in the field of nanotechnology. The present study deals with the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of Sedum pachyphyllum as the reducing agent. The synthesis is carried out at room temperature in the laboratory ambient. Merely, few minutes were necessary for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Exposed to leaf extract, the aqueous gold ions were reduced and resulted in gold nanoparticles. The formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed in the presence of an absorption peak at 556 nm using UV–visible spectrophotometer. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed gold nanoparticles, which are about 80 mm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed possible involvement of reductive groups on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles. Stable gold nanoparticles were formed by treating an aqueous solution of HAuCl₄ with the plant leaf extracts as reducing agent of Au³⁺ to an Au⁰. This method provides a safe and green synthesis comparable to more chemical methods and can be used in areas such as medical, foods and cosmetics.