What's eating my caladium candidum?

Caladium 'Candidum' has large, nearly all-white leaves that make pest damage extremely visible. Thrips scar the white surface almost immediately and are the biggest threat. Spider mites cause rapid bleaching in dry air. When kept outdoors in summer, aphids and grasshoppers may also chew or distort the thin, papery foliage.

Silvery streaks, brown edge scarring, and frass spots ruining the white leaf panels; new leaves emerge distorted. Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly for 4 weeks. Remove and bin heavily infested leaves. Use sticky traps to monitor.

Fine pale stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; the white foliage bleaches further and may dry at the margins. Raise humidity, wipe leaves gently, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days. Avoid overhead watering.

Small soft insects on petioles and young leaves when grown outdoors; leaves pucker and may develop sooty mould. Knock off with a water jet and treat with insecticidal soap. Bring indoors before the first frost to avoid heavy outdoor pest pressure.