---
title: "My poor baby elephant bush is looking so sad, I don't know what to do…"
description: "My poor baby elephant bush is looking so sad, I don't know what to do about it D: She's getting full sunlight and I only water her when her soil is dried up. I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/64cbe4ac3969421be7d2b1e5"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Sk.nwalker"
published: "2023-08-03T17:32:28.125Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Lx_boKx9E03oI85B8stk414bIOwV9EMIpt2qvKB77Ew/38ac4167cd664737be0ddc0794f22d38.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# My poor baby elephant bush is looking so sad, I don't know what to do…

_Posted by Sk.nwalker on 2023-08-03_

My poor baby elephant bush is looking so sad, I don't know what to do about it D: She's getting full sunlight and I only water her when her soil is dried up. I already gave her fertilizer and I talk to her all the time, I don't know what l'm doing wrong

-update  
I looked at her roots and she was super root bound! I’m now in the process of re potting her :) hopefully it helps! For the people who gave advice thank you so much, I’ll be sure to follow it

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Lx_boKx9E03oI85B8stk414bIOwV9EMIpt2qvKB77Ew/38ac4167cd664737be0ddc0794f22d38.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Lisette commented on 2023-08-03

Did you ever repot/change the soil after purchasing?

#### Sk.nwalker replied on 2023-08-03

No

#### Lisette replied on 2023-08-03

The soil might be hydrophobic! Try switching it out or poking holes in it when watering.

### Sk.nwalker commented on 2023-08-03

Ok, thank you so much 😊

### Sunny commented on 2023-08-03

Leaves and stems are shriveled and weak looking. Typically, it’s a sign of insufficient watering. Changing the soil will no definitively help if the problem is hydrophobic soil repelling water.

Another issue could be insufficient water at the times you water it. The soil will be completely dried out. It takes a while to completely soak it again. My sweet potato vine is like this. I water it once and the water runs through while the top inch of soil is wet. But, most of the middle is dry. I have to let it sit in a tray to absorb the water from the bottom. I can feel the weight increase after the soaking. I let the excess water drain.

Planta offers 3 ways of watering including bottom soaking and dunking. Try them after changing the soil. Best of luck. Tell us how it turns out.

#### Sunny replied on 2023-08-03

Typo Correction: “Changing the soil WILL DEFINITELY help…” 😁

### GardeNerd commented on 2023-08-04

Carbonated water before you transplant or start plant doctoring.

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