Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis of Areca catechu L. was established using leaf, root and stem segments as explants. Embryogenic callus was induced and maintained on medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) at concentrations 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg dm-3 in darkness. Somatic embryos were found on primary callus in the presence of 2 and 4 mg dm-3 dicamba and during subculture on 2 - 8 mg dm-3 2,4-D or 2 - 4 mg dm-3 dicamba-containing media. Plantlet conversion from embryos was successfully achieved on growth regulator-free medium. The plants grew well when transplanted to containers in shaded greenhouse