This invention relates to a formaldehyde-free electroless copper plating solution, containing a solution soluble divalent copper compound in a concentration between about 1/2 and 2 g/l; a reducing agent for the copper compound in an amount of between about 1 and 3 g/l; a complexing and chelating agent mixture of between about 5 and 100 ml/l of an alkanol amine having at least one alkyl group with one to three carbon atoms and between about 1 and 10 g/l of an ethylene diamine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl moiety having between 1 and 3 carbon atoms and X is --OH or --COOH; the solution preferably having a pH between about 7 and 8.5 and a temperature preferably between about 130.degree. and 150.degree. F., with the complexing and chelating agent mixture being present to provide stability to the solution and to enable the solution to provide a uniform plating rate of copper upon a substrate which is immersed therein.