Key message Tissue cultures are the only effective way to proliferate this valuable species (Daphne mezereum). These researches may help in solving the problem of reproduction of other woody plants. Abstract Daphne mezereum L. commonly known as February daphne or mezereon is a decorative shrub from the family Thymelaeaceae. It is a valuable nursery plant due to its high ornamental values, but its propagation by traditional methods is ineffective, therefore, little profitable. Micropropagation may be a good alternative way to produce this ornamental shrub. The experiment aimed to examine the effect of cytokinins (meta-Topolin, benzyladenine, and zeatin) and other growth regulators (gibberellic acid GA 3 and auxin 1-naphthalene acetic acid NAA) added to the Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) nutrients on regeneration of explants of D. mezereum 'Alba'. In the all treatments containing plant growth regulators (PGR), 100% regeneration of explants has been observed. The highest number of shoots, after 6 weeks of culture, was produced on MS medium with 1 mg•L −1 BA and 0.1 mg•L −1 NAA. The longest shoots were produced on MS medium with 0.1 mg•L −1 of gibberellic acid (GA 3) and 1 mg•L −1 of meta-Topolin (mT). Generally, the type and concentration of plant growth regulators had an essential effect on regeneration and growth of shoots of Daphne mezereum 'Alba' in the in vitro culture.