Individual somatic proembryos of Ceratozamia hildae were exposed to media that differed only in gelling agent utilized. Five different gelling agents were compared in the first experiment: Bacto agar, Agargel, Gel-Gro, Phytagar, and TC agar. In addition, the effect of agar was examined at two levels. Growth, proliferation, and development were assessed. The lower level of agar did not support good somatic proembryo growth. Agargel and the high agar concentration produced cultures with good proliferation. Proembryos exposed to Phytagar, Gel-Gro, and TC agar had the highest proliferation rates. Overall, Gel-Gro was considered the best gelling agent tested. The three concentrations of Gel-Gro used in the second experiment were 2, 4, and 6 g·l⁻¹, with the lowest concentration representing the control, the recommended concentration. As gelling agent concentration increased, so did mortality; however, the highest Gel-Gro concentration also produced the highest numbers of good-quality, mature somatic embryos. Proliferation rate was greatest at the lowest concentration. These results suggest that Ceratozamia cultures should be exposed to different gelling agents or concentrations of gelling agents at different developmental stages in order to produce the greatest number and highest quality of somatic embryos.