In the current investigation, L-proline cadmium chloride monohydrate (LPCC) single crystal is grown by a slow sol-vent evaporation technique to identify its credibility for nonlinear optical device applications. The constituent elements of LPCC crystal are determined by the energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) technique. The single crystal x-ray diffraction technique is used to determine the structural dimensions of LPCC crystal. The UV-visible studies are carried out within a wavelength range of 200 nm–1100 nm to determine the optical transmittance of LPCC crystal. The linear optical parame-ters of LPCC crystal are evaluated using the transmittance data to discuss its importance for distinct optical devices. The Nd:YAG laser assisted Kurtz–Perry test is carried out to determine the enhancement in second harmonic generation effi-ciency of LPCC crystal with reference to KDP crystal. The Z-scan technique is employed to assess the third order nonlinear optical (TONLO) properties of LPCC crystal at 632.8 nm. The Z-scan data are utilized to evaluate the TONLO refraction, absorption and susceptibility of LPCC crystal. The color oriented luminescence behavior of LPCC crystal is investigated within a spectral range of 350 nm–700 nm. The dependence of dielectric constant and dielectric loss on temperature and frequency is evaluated through the dielectric measurement studies.