Objective: To determine an in vitro culture medium that allows close to 100% germination rates of zygotic embryos of four heliconia species (H. champneiana, H. latispatha, H. uxpanapensis and H. vaginalis), native to Mexico.Methodology: Mature zygotic embryos from heliconia species, naturally pollinated, were incubated in vitro in permanent light for 27 d. An experiment was established under a 210 factorial arrangement with a Completely Randomized Design where two genotypes (H. uxpanapensis and H. champneiana) were evaluated and 10 MS culture media added with sucrose-activated charcoal concentrations. In a second phase, the best treatment was validated with the additional incubation of H. latispatha and H. vaginalis. The data were interpreted by means of variance analysis and mean comparison using Tukey with 95% confidence.Results: The combinations 3-0.2 and 4.5-0.05% sucrose-activated charcoal in H. uxpanapensis and H. champneiana, respectively, favored 100% of germination, in addition to the growth and optimal development of the seedlings. In the second phase, treatment with 3-0.2% sucrose-activated charcoal, also germinated 100% embryos of H. latispatha and H. vaginalis.Implications: The medium with 3% sucrose and 0.2% activated charcoal eliminates the problem of reduced germination of Heliconia and can contribute to germinate with the same success hybrid seed or seed of other species of the same genus.Conclusions: The balance of 3% sucrose and 0.2% of activated charcoal in the MS medium favored 100% germination of four Heliconia species, as well as generating plants with optimal growth and development
