What's eating my caladium 'red flash'?

Caladium 'Red Flash' is an indoor-outdoor tropical that attracts spider mites when grown indoors in dry air, and aphids plus caterpillars when summered outside. The large, richly colored leaves draw attention from pests and gardeners alike. Early intervention prevents cosmetic damage that can ruin the whole seasonal display.

Pale speckling across vivid leaf coloring; webbing on undersides; premature leaf drop in heavy infestations Spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days; keep humidity high to deter outbreaks

Sticky honeydew on leaf surfaces with clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth and stems Remove with a strong water jet or insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly until the colony is gone

Chewed holes and missing leaf sections, most common when plants are outdoors in summer Hand-pick larvae and apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at first sign of damage; check plants in the evening