What's eating my caladium strawberry star?

Caladium Strawberry Star is most commonly troubled by spider mites, which thrive in dry indoor air and quickly mar the striking red-and-white leaves. Mealybugs and aphids also target new growth. Outdoors in beds, caterpillars and slugs may chew holes through the thin foliage, especially in warm, humid conditions.

Tiny pale dots and fine webbing on leaf undersides; the decorative red zones become washed-out and dull. Increase humidity, rinse leaves regularly, and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.

Fluffy white deposits at leaf bases and stem nodes; plant weakens and leaves drop prematurely. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with a systemic neem drench for persistent infestations.

Irregular holes chewed through leaf blades overnight when grown outdoors; silvery slime trails present. Remove garden debris, use iron phosphate slug pellets around the base, or set beer traps at soil level.