Chilli Plant: Best soil and coming back from winter

[ChilliFlower]

It's still chilly outside, and nowhere near spring. However, my thoughts go towards my chilli plant that died back well before Christmas, and I am hoping it comes back next year.

The big beast was tight in its original pot, and I put it in a bigger one with some coir bought from Pets at Home. I'm thinking this might not have been the best medium; what is the best medium for chilli plants? The original plant was in a mix that came with a Tesco chilli kit, so I can't tell what it is!

When spring finally arrives, how will I know the chilli is indeed coming back and isn't dead? I am honestly concerned I might be nursing a dead plant, so some pointers would be great

[Scarlet]

If it is alive it may already be showing signs of life. By February there would definitely be evidence of growth. What colour is the stem?? You would expect to see a hint of green. Can you take a photo.
I just use normal MP Compost - often filling the bottom of the pot from my own compost bin and the top 2/3 with bought just so the weed seeds don't push through.

[Small pumpkin]

the chilli Kit you originally got probably had a mix of multi purpose compost and perlite.
I use this mix for all my chillies.
Where’s the over wintering chilli been kept?

[ChilliFlower]

It's being kept on top of the kitchen cabinets, I've only been watering once in a while, it has been watered today.

Here are some pictures

[Scarlet]

That's the pot with several plants in one pot? It does look alive but I think it needs separating to get much fruit from it. The stems are very spindly.
Why don't you grow a couple more as back up
- sowing one seed per pot?

[toomanytommytoes]

My potting mix is mostly compost, coir and leaf mould plus about 10% perlite. Good drainage is important as it makes it harder to over water.

[ChilliFlower]

Yes, this was before I knew to separate seeds. I have pictures of the plant in full go, if that would help? I cut back the branches as it had died back