Doris -

I think they all eventually overpower... I have a slow grower - Midnight Lantern - that really does better for me under the lights and on the mat. I would think that anything variegated will be a slow grower - like Light Prince. Columnea crassifolia is an upright one - but with time it gets big too.
What about aeschynanthus humilis? It is a compact upright plant with very bright red "candles".

Did you think about hanging your columnea above the cats? They really like it in the air.

Irina

Irina:

Thank you so much. I'm going to see whether I can find one of the ones you mention. I'll probably get an aeschynanthus too, if I can fit them both in, but I really do want a columnea. It's this infantile craving that can't be assuaged with substitutes. As for hanging it, there is no such thing as "above" the cats--or at least not above Lucy--unless I were to install cathedral ceilings. She had a wonderful time with a spider plant that I thought was safe. But she's small, agile, and fearless, and she hung onto the rim till she brought it down.

Doris

I think "fujijama" is an uprite grower. I just bought an aeschynanthus "rigel" thats upright and is listed as a light garden plant so I hope it stays small. Try Logee's, they have a good selection. I was just there [it's in Connecticut, I stop there whenever I go to Foxwoods Casino]. They have many photos on their web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: logees

Yes. But there aren't many. Check out the columnea article and pictures on this site.

There are a few that are branching and can be kept compact too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gesneriad reference site