Hiya Purple,

I've done a lot of this using Priority Mail which (these days) goes by particular box size (rather than weight). I think they offer 3-5 sizes these days (& use the motto 'if it fits, it ships').

I'd suggest not enclosing it in a baggie, the air tightness is likely to cause rot (& no staples). Since it's a Spider, maybe just a moistened & then squeezed out towel wrapped around the roots only. Is it already a rooted cutting?

Same suggestion for Tradescantia (which if damaged in shipping, can just be re-cut & re-rooted on arrival).

Rumpled newspapers to cushion things is fine. I have also used a baggie w/ styrofoam peanuts to cushion them as well.

Am guessing (depending on the size of the cuttings) that all this could be put into a box about the size of a video cassette. Am guess-timating the cost to be about $5.

I've tried to answer everything, you've asked.

I've had good results w/ this using Priority (they'll offer you a service called confirmation of shipment, for a bit more money, which I usually decline, just asking that the recipient email me when the package has arrived).

Heres a link that might be helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to ship live plants

Thanks for the replies! Still considering if I want to get involved with this or not. Appreciate the food for thought!

Be careful putting thing in plastic. The heat of some transportation carriers can ''steam'' (I don't know what else to call it.) the plants. I made the error myself just putting some plants in a plastic grocery bag unsealed and tossing it in the trunk of the car. One notorious vendor sent me some ''live'' plants, roots with soil, in a sealed container and they all died in transit.

Purple..You'd need to know weight and distance.

I recently shipped two, small boxes of cuttings.
The cost, per box, 3.25 w/o insurance. Priority Mail.

One box was sent to Fl, the second less than 2000 miles away. Toni

Thanks, guys.