Cultured cells and somatic embryos derived from the mesophyll tissues of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) were cryopreserved by vitrification. The plant vitrification solution (PVS) contained 22% (w/v) glycerol, 15% ethylene glycol, 15% propylene glycol and 7% DMSO in Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium enriched with 0.5 M sorbitol. The highest survival rates of vitrified cells and embryos were about 65 and 50%, respectively. Surviving embryos developed into plantlets. Single node segments of asparagus were desiccated and successfully cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Preculture for 2 days on MS medium containing 0.7 M sucrose was found to be effective for cryoprotection. Precultured segments were then dried at 25℃ until their water contents reached a level of about 20%. Dried segments were directly immersed in liquid nitrogen from room temperature, and then rewarmed in the ambient air at 22℃. The highest survival rate, as determined by shoot formation, was 63%. There was no callus formation. Complete plantlets were regenerated from shoots.