Leaf, petiole, nodal and internodal explants excised from 3-month-old in vitro grown plantlets of Coleus blumei Benth. were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different plant growth regulators, used either solely or in combinations. The highest number of multiple shoots was induced on nodal explants cultured on MS medium containing 0.3 mg l^-1 6-benzylaminopurine. The highest number of roots, up to 30 per leaf explant, developed on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg l^-1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Leaf explants appeared convenient for incorporation into a transformation system where transgenic roots were expected. Antibacterial substances, cefotaxime and vancomycin, did not inhibit induction and growth of adventitious roots and were suitable for bacteria elimination after transformation. Susceptibility of adventitious roots to different selective treatments was tested and transgenic roots might be regenerated on media with 20 mg l^-1 kanamycin, 70 mg l^-1 neomycin sulfate, 2 mg l^-1 geneticin, 10 mg l^-1 hygromycin B or 1 mg l^-1 glufosinate ammonium.