Almost homogeneous populations representing different developmental stages of somatic embryos (globular, torpedo‐shaped, plantlets) and vacuolated cells were obtained from a cell suspension culture of carrot. The concentrations of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and methylated DNA were determined in embryos at different developmental stages and were found to increase during somatic embryogenesis. The highest increase during embryogenesis was a 5‐fold increase in the level of SAM. A considerable increase in the methylation index (SAM/SAH ratio) was also found. We propose that the levels of SAM and SAH may be involved in the control of somatic embryogenesis by affecting the level of DNA methylation, which in turn might cause differential changes in gene activation. An increase in the level of SAM may be a prerequisite for progression of embryogenesis and the development of complete