purpleinopp: Yes, the details keep it interesting. I was kind of thinking out loud about the process (which is new to me) and may have sidetracked things a bit. Agreed with your logic about it most likely being something hardy in NJ, I was just observing that in the case of an unknown potted plant with undisclosed provenance, others can't be completely ruled out until it's been identified. flora_uk: The original photo sure reminded me of a Chlorophytum I lived with for a while at university, but we parted soon after graduation and lost touch. I probably stared at it for hours while mulling over assignments, but the unique characteristics you mentioned have long faded from memory - thanks for reminding me. I'm giving the Image Zoom extension a try; can't rotate/zoom in two clicks, but can get there in four. Not likely to make me a better guesser, but will be better able to see the overlooked details you and others point out.

There is a "name this plant" forum, you might want to put this there also. #1 looks like daylilies #2 looks like Solanum, maybe S. dulcamara (nightshade vine.) Handling this plant makes me itchy, you might want to wear gloves/sleeves to pull it up. Unfortunately perennial. #3 bulb lilies of some type. #4 ? #5 ? looks like some kind of critter may have been eating the leaves, could be something that will pass without action, seasonal. Those who know what it is probably know what's going on with the leaves.

On the leaves, looks like Whitefly larvae. On the soil looks like harmless slime mold, a fungus that will grow on rotting mulch or very high organic soil under the right conditions. I am not sure as the Pics. are small and my computer is old. Look these two up on the net and see if either match.

I believe it's a species Zinnia (not a variety of Z. angustifolia), but I do not recall the actual species name.