---
title: "I got a black velvet elephant start from a friend. It had been in…"
description: "I got a black velvet elephant start from a friend. It had been in water with a good root system. I put it in dirt last night and by morning the leaves were…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/fMIRGxa56wzD5wOl8NpK0H"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Dolan72"
published: "2025-12-07T02:00:16.975327Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/propagatingAndSowing.jpg"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Propagating \& Sowing](https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg.md)

# I got a black velvet elephant start from a friend. It had been in…

_Posted by Dolan72 on 2025-12-07_

I got a black velvet elephant start from a friend. It had been in water with a good root system. I put it in dirt last night and by morning the leaves were curled and dying. Is this plant hopelessly a goner????

## 7 comments

### SJ commented on 2025-12-07

I don’t have experience with that plant in particular, but I have had propagations that go very floppy and sad for a few days in shock after potting. My gut says keep an eye on it, keep the soil moist, and give it a week. If it shows zero improvement or goes farther downhill \*by the end of the week\*, then it probably won’t take.

#### Dolan72 replied on 2025-12-07

Thanks..... I checked the roots and they are still in good shape. I hate losing any plant

### plantgeek commented on 2025-12-07

it's shock. water to soil is a big transition for a plant. give it a week or two it'll be fine

#### Dolan72 replied on 2025-12-07

I've had plants get shocky but this one through a tantrum in hours

#### SJ replied on 2025-12-07

Sounds like my fittonia in summer—kid on the beach, running around all peachy, then BAM! Keeled over as if she died.

If the roots look good, it’s probably fine. See what perks up and what doesn’t might need to be pruned.

### Yup commented on 2025-12-07

Just don’t look at the roots anymore because it might kill it

### Dolan72 commented on 2025-12-07

Got it. 🤞

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