What's eating my caladium pink cloud?

Caladium Pink Cloud is most threatened by spider mites indoors and caterpillars or grasshoppers outdoors in summer. Mealybugs hide in leaf axils, while aphids cluster on new growth. The ornate foliage makes damage highly visible. Check undersides of leaves weekly and treat early to protect the delicate pink patterning.

Fine webbing on leaf undersides; pale stippling or bleaching across the pink and white leaf surface. Raise humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, then spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until clear.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along veins; leaves yellow and growth stalls. Dab colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray. Repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Soft-bodied clusters on new shoots; leaves curl, sticky honeydew attracts sooty mold. Blast off with a strong water stream, then apply insecticidal soap. Outdoors, encourage ladybugs and lacewings as natural predators.