---
title: "Someone please help with my caladium it has these brown splodges all…"
description: "Someone please help with my caladium it has these brown splodges all over it. The smaller leaf is new and does not look healthy. There are 2 other new leaves…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/6519a2308657a7365a2420fa"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Mairead"
published: "2023-10-01T16:45:36.459Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/P5GUdoZclT78mSoAh33dffLNx5PRoeY5a5EDbffnXg8/d050fd12ea7d497faf3ab9092d70c172.webp?size=large"
---

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# Someone please help with my caladium it has these brown splodges all…

_Posted by Mairead on 2023-10-01_

Someone please help with my caladium it has these brown splodges all over it. The smaller leaf is new and does not look healthy. There are 2 other new leaves unfurling that also don’t look great. And one of them has split several times whilst trying to open out. Please help. I’ve noticed a few thrips and been wiping them off but not loads

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/P5GUdoZclT78mSoAh33dffLNx5PRoeY5a5EDbffnXg8/d050fd12ea7d497faf3ab9092d70c172.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Tee Jay commented on 2023-10-01

If you’ve seen thrips then the damage is definitely from that! You need to be very aggressive about treating them, as they are very difficult to get rid of IMO

#### Mairead replied on 2023-10-01

Okay thankyou

### Sunny commented on 2023-10-01

I would have to agree that you can’t underestimate thrips. They like the tender new shoots. Just wiping won’t get rid of them. You can potentially spread them. Disinfect your hands after touching this plant. Use neem oil or a soapy water spray weekly until they are gone. Spray the soil and nearby plants. Isolate infected plants.  
Also, check the roots for health to rule out watering issues that could cause the brown spots. Good luck🍀

#### Mairead replied on 2023-10-01

Got it thankyou

#### Mairead replied on 2023-10-01

Would you just use like dish soap and water?

#### Tee Jay replied on 2023-10-01

You can! I use 2 teaspoons dish soap diluted with 4 cups of water

#### Mairead replied on 2023-10-01

Thanks so much 😊

### Mullein commented on 2023-10-01

Oh no, not the thrips 🥺 Sorry to hear you’re dealing with that. Sunny and Tanya gave some good advice. I did want to add though a reminder that caladiums are bulbs. So if your infestation gets worse or the leaves die, feel free to chop it down to the bulb and start over in new soil. In fact, if you live in a place that’s going into cooler temps for the winter, your caladium may go dormant for the season soon anyways. The bulb is still healthy as long as it doesn’t get squishy

#### Mairead replied on 2023-10-01

Okay I didn’t know that! Yes I’m in the UK, all hope isn’t lost then thank you 🙏

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