An efficient regeneration protocol has been developed from leaf explants of Pluchea lanceolata, a medicinally important plant of the family Asteraceae. Nodular callus was initiated from young leaf segments cultured on Wood and Braun medium containing 2.0% sucrose (WB) supplemented with kinetin. On WB 5.0 mg l^−l kinetin, 100% plant regeneration with 14 ± 0.5 plantlets was obtained. Regenerated plantlets with well-developed root systems were transferred to pots and subsequently to the field. With respect to the effect of metals on morphogenic events and quercetin content of the cultures, lower concentrations of CuSO₄ proved to be beneficial but higher concentrations were detrimental. The presence of 200 μM ZnSO₄ or 150 μM CuSO₄ also resulted in the highest level of quercetin in regenerants. The yield of quercetin in culture varied with stages of differentiation.