This article reviews the methods of degumming lignocellulosic plants. The following degumming methods are used: biological, chemical, mechanical and physical - retting in warm and cold water retting, dew retting, chemical treatment by acid and base, use of electromagnetic pulses and most promising - osmotic degumming with ultrasound. The paper presents the newest methods of degumming, especially the method of osmotic degumming combined with ultrasound. This new method, developed by Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, is a typical pro-ecological method, because degumming water after cleaning has to be recycled. The retting water has no odour and biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand parameters are not high. For better cost-efficiency the osmotic degumming method can be applied also for degumming green decorticated fibres.