Leaf protoplasts of axenic shoot cultures of Lonicera nitida cv Maigrun underwent sustained division to give multicellular colonies (microcalli) on a modified, ammonium-free MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium containing 0.5 mg l NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid), 1.0 mg l BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and 150 mg l casein enzymatic hydrolysate. Callus was produced upon transfer of cell colonies to MS medium with 2.0 mg l NAA and 0.2 mg l BAP. About 110 days from isolation protoplast-derived shoots were regenerated on a half-strength MS medium with 0.01 mg l NAA, 5.0 mg l BAP, 0.5 mg l zeatin and a complex mixture of group B vitamins. The replacement of such mixture by 250 mg l casein enzymatic hydrolysate promoted rhizogenesis in calli, with shoot buds being subsequently regenerated from the protoplast-derived roots. Micropropagation of protoplast-derived shoots (of either origin) was difficult, due to a strong apical dominance, but could be accomplished by transferring single-node explants to half-strength MS medium with 1.5 mg l BAP. Such shoots were, in turn, successfully rooted and transferred to the glasshouse where they completed acclimatization.