During recent years, different approaches have been designed for the micropropagation of elite date palm cultivars. The most commonly used techno­logy approach is somatic embryogenesis which presents a great potential for the rapid propagation and genetic resource preservation of this species. Considerable progress has been made in the development and optimization of this regeneration pathway through the establishment of embryogenic suspension cultures. However, several problems still need to be solved and are currently under study, such as the abnormal differentiation of somatic embryo, the proliferation of endophytic bacteria within in vitro cultured material and the occurrence of somaclonal variants in regenerated offspring. The present review is aimed at providing updated and innovative information on recent progress, applications and prospects for somatic embryogenesis in the date palm.