The aim of this work was to evaluate the substrate effect and recipient size on the germination and initial growth of chrysanthemum and perfect-love ornamental plants. The works was carried out in the Horticulture Nursery from UTFPR - Campus Dois Vizinhos - Paraná State, Brazil. The experimental design was in blocks randomized, in factorial 3 x 4 (recipient size x substrate), with four replications, considering 4 recipients by plot. It was used as recipients, small, medium and king container and as substrate the Plantmax® and the mixture Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 1 (1:1:1 v/v), Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1 v/v) and Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 1 + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1:1 v/v). The Poultry Litter 1 and 2 had wood shavings and sawdust as different ingredients, respectively. The germination (%), total lenght plants(cm), roots length(cm), height(cm), leaf number and plants dry mass matter(g), were evaluate 63 days after experiment installation. For germination and early development of perfect-love the best container was small with a mixture the red latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 1 + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1:1 v/v). For Chrysanthemum, besides to this container and mixing, the mixtures were also important Red Latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 1 (1:1:1 v/v) e Red Latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1 v/v).