A range of antibiotics were screened for their ability to induce somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants in several Dianthus cultivars. Among the antibiotics tested, cefotaxime was most efficient for inducing somatic embryogenesis. Penicillin G and carbenicillin also induced somatic embryogenesis, but with lower frequencies. Auxins such as NAA, 2,4-D, and picloram had no effect on somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos transferred to a medium without both antibiotics and plant growth regulators developed into plantlets that could be grown to maturity following transfer to the green house. © 1993, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. All rights reserved.