Stock cultures of Thapsia garganica grown on Murashige and Skoog agar medium (1962) (MS) (0.8% agar [w/v]; pH 5.8) with 0.5 mg l−1 NAA and 1.5 mg l−1 BA were best rooted by subjecting to half strength MS liquid medium with IBA (10 mg l−1) for 3 days prior to transfer to medium without plant growth regulators. A rooting frequency of 60% was noted with seven roots per rooted plant. Rooting was apparent after 10 days. The present study also aimed at reducing the occurrence of hyperhydric plants. The inclusion of 2% polyethylene glycol (w/v) in the growth medium or ventilation of cultures prior to acclimatization resulted in the production of plants true to type, closely resembling wild plants. Those plantlets that had been rooted and exposed to a better vented environment were able to acclimatize readily. Tissue culture propagation is therefore beneficial to the conservation of the medicinally important species, Thapsia garganica.