Question
Dear Richard,
My daughter is getting married in St. Louis on May 28th. She has decided to give each of her guests a small houseplant as a gift. She's artistic and is having fun painting the pots (~2 1/2" clay pots). She wants me to help figure out the plant part.  I have been told that I can have some space in a greenhouse where I work but it might be more convenient to grow them in my basement where I can leave the light on. There are so many options, I am not sure where to start. I would be grateful for any suggestions and advice you can offer. Here are some of the key considerations:

1) Must be easy! We're very busy people. I'm not sure whether it is easier to do plants from seed or from cuttings, but we will need about 150 of them.

2) They should look nice in a small pot - not something huge.

3) They should have enough time to grow to an appropriate size if I start in early Feb (when the pots should all be ready) for a May 28 wedding. I think I have allowed enough time for most plants, but some seeds can be slow. Also, I would appreciate advice on when to start so that they are large enough to look attractive, but not rootbound.

4) Cost is a factor. We are trying to have a nice wedding without going overboard.

One last consideration: the wedding colors are purple, blue & orange. My daughter is using those colors on the pots and had assumed the plants would just be green, but I wondered about something line a purple wandering jew, coleus, or maybe African violets if they wouldn't be too difficult to grow. I am not sure how true the colors are when the plants are small.

Thanks in advance & Happy New Year.
Judy

Answer
use cuttings. try wandering jew(zebrina transendentia) or purple passion(purple w/orange flowers-flower stinks somewhat). both are easy to root from cuttings. use the greenhouse for better results. place plastic bags over the plant pots to increase humidity when propagating. get to a local garden center. tell them what you are doing. buy your products(good indoor potting mix, etc.) from them & they should be glad to help you out and advise you.