The death of my chocolate mint plants

[Does the Cooking]

Some kind soul sent me some six sprigs of chocolate mint. I put them in pots and kept them indoors because of the cold. They got some white things (aphids?) on them and died. The sixth also got some but I sprayed with a solution of washing up soap and water. Two weeks later still alive - but scarcely growing! Is there something I should be doing?

By contrast there was a dying mint in a pot at Tesco's. It and some basil were both available for the princely sum of 5np. The mint recovered, I've been using it for the past month, and it's growing ... well like wild mint! Sod's law!

[zazen999]

Keep them outside is my advice. They are hardy and don't need to be indoors.

[KittyColdNose]

What Zaz says. ^^

My mint has been out all winter and has started growing again. Ok it is still tiny and looks a mess just now, but it is a hardy wee thing.

[rustylady]

Easiest way to root sprigs of mint is to stand them in a glass of water. When you see the roots start to form then you can pot them up. Not too big a pot to start with, you can always pot on later.

[Two_Sheds]

I sprayed with a solution of washing up soap

Washing up liquid isn't good for plants, esp. the strong branded ones.

The soap you need for aphids is quite different: it's soft soap