Single-crystal germanium nanowires have been synthesized in the temperature range 380–430 °C without the use of any metal catalysts. Tetraethylgermane was used as a precursor in combination with different organic solvents to produce nanowires with controlled diameter ranging from 5 nm to 700 nm. The growth direction of nanowires is along <011> direction. The method is based on the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, with the classical liquid-metal catalyst replaced by droplets of high-boiling-point hydrocarbons.