Introduction and aim: The aim of this study was to characterize a strontium phosphate (Sr–P)-coated pure magnesium (Mg) substrate to study its potential use as a bioimplant. Materials and methods: The present study coated pure Mg substrate with Sr–P by hydrothermal treatment. The coated samples were evaluated using contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and cytotoxicity in the presence of MG-63 cells. An uncoated sample of pure Mg was used as a negative control for comparison in all the tests. The parameters mentioned were used to characterize the surface interactions and properties of the Mg samples in the presence of Sr–P coating. Results: The presence of a coating on the substrate was confirmed by EDAX analysis, and its elemental composition was noted. Mg coated with Sr–P surface displayed a higher contact angle (103.6) than the uncoated sample (74.2). The surface roughness of coated Mg reduced from 419 to 218 nm, and cell viability indicated low toxicity in biological tissue. Conclusion: Characterization of Sr–P coating on Mg substrate indicated lesser permeability to moisture, homogeneous surface topography, significant biocompatibility and low toxicity in comparison to the uncoated Mg substrate, suggesting its potential use as a bioimplant material. Clinical significance: Strontium phosphate (Sr–P)-coated Mg has demonstrated properties superior to an uncoated Mg sample. Further studies are required to assess the performance of the coated material in a clinical scenario, suggesting its potential to be used as a novel implant material.