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The cast Mg-4Zn-0.5Ca-0.16Mn (wt%) alloy, prepared through conventional melting-casting route, exhibits appreciable strength (UTS~180 MPa, YS~175 MPa) with limited elongation (<1%). As the cast specimens are subjected to homogenization treatments for 6–72 h at 633 K, the yield strength decreases by an acceptable margin (97–117 MPa) accompanied by a noteworthy increase in ductility (3.2–8.5%). The improvement in ductility is primarily due to the dissolution of the coarse networks of the eutectic Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phase formed during casting. Interestingly, the work hardening response of the alloy also improves with homogenization. The evolution of grain size heterogeneity, the presence of Mn particles and the evolution of β₁′ precipitates have been identified as the major contributing factors behind this. The β₁′ precipitates predominantly form at the interface of the Mn particles/Mg matrix and evolve …