In vitro propagation of a medicinally important plant, Althaea officinalis, has been achieved through somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos (globular to torpedo-shaped embryos) were induced on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium augmented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, and 25.0) alone or combined with N6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mu M). These were directly formed from the cut ends and subsequently spread on the whole surface of internodal explants. For embryo maturation, torpedo embryos were transferred on a medium containing different levels of BA (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mu M) and abscisic acid (ABA) (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mu M) or a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mu M). Among the different concentrations tested, 0.5 mu M BA along with 1.0 mu M ABA was found most effective, on which a highest yield (58.0%) with an optimum number (35.0) of mature embryos (cotyledonary stage) was observed after 2 weeks of transfer. Germination of cotyledonary embryos into plantlets with 68% were observed on 1/2 MS medium. Histological and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) studies proved that the regenerated structures were somatic embryos and not shoot primordia. Plants grew vigorously when transferred to a greenhouse.