Prospects of urban biotechnology for ornamental plants

•Biotechnological methods will be used more widely for plants.•Plant biotechnology methods can be used in urban environments.•Biotechnological methods can increase the tolerance of plants to soil pollution. Plant biotechnology methods can be used in urban environments. Cell selection, genetic engineering, and micropropagation hold great promise among biotechnological methods. Two main applications for the use of cell selection for urban plants are possible in future. The first is the use of this technology in urban greening to improve plant resistance. The second is phytoremediation of contaminated urban soils. Micropropagation can be used for urban plant reproduction. The use of genetic engineering is promising for obtaining new varieties of urban plants with high ornamental qualities. When using genetic engineering techniques, environmental risks should be taken into account. The use of biotechnology for the urban environment will contribute to the development of applied biotechnology, urban biology, urban natural sciences and urban technical sciences. Future ornamental urban plants will change, but they will always play an important role in people's lives.