Somatic embryogenesis from flower tepals of Hippeastrum aiming regeneration of virus-free plants

•Successful plantlet regeneration by somatic embryogenesis was reported for tepal-segments of virus-infected Hippeastrum.•2,4-D is essential for induction, while thidiazuron improved the frequency of responsive explants to somatic embryogenesis.•Replacement of 2,4-D by 6-Benzyladenine are required to the conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets.•This is the first report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Hippeastrum flowers.•Successful virus-free plants from somatic embryogenesis were confirmed using RT-PCR analysis.