Plants regenerate their bodies using pluripotent callus tissues and initiating the de novo formation of shoot apical meristem (SAM). However, the mechanisms governing the efficiency of regeneration are unclear. Now, researchers have shown that the WOX13 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana negatively regulates SAM formation from callus and promotes its non-meristematic fate. The findings demonstrate that the targeted disruption of WOX13 can significantly enhance shoot regeneration efficiency, paving the way for future biotechnological advancements.