New buds obtained by dark culture from the rhizomes of ten species or cultivars and hybrids of Heliconia were used as explants which were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2-10 mg L-1 BA and 0.2-1.0 mg L-1 NAA. The experiments showed that the explants could induce shoots and proliferate. Best result for rooting was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 NAA plus 0.5% active carbon. The plantlets transferred to pots containing sand/turf mixture (1:1), or sand/perlite (1:1), or sand only showed a survival rate more than 90%.