Mint looking a bit unhealthy

My mint has been getting yellow leaves of late.

I give it some miracle grow fruit & veg once a week and water it twice a day. It has a few aphids that I try to spray off with water every now and then.

Any ideas? Pics below...

 

Might need re potting, are the roots coming out of the bottom?

 

Well this IS the re-potting. It went from an Aldi (shop bought) pot, to a slightly larger pot to this pot. Only been in it a couple of weeks so probably hasn't had time to get roots to the bottom. I just checked and there's a tiny root just reaching the hole.

 

Well, I'm thinking you are treating it too, too well!
Mint (in my experience) doesn't require constant feeding and watering; quite the opposite really - mine have thrived on a bit of neglect

 

Yeah, treat it mean, keep it keen!

It's time it was out of doors, that might sort out the aphid problem.

 

I agree with Mum ... neglect it!

 

Its supermarket mint. Neglect is not the answer this time. I'd suggest that nor is Miracle Grow though.

Supermarket herbs are invariably nearly dead when you buy them. They look healthy enough in the shop, but they've been forced in conditions that are too warm and not light enough, in order to stimulate rapid growth for maximum profit. They are usually very, very weak and their roots aren't well developed because the plants have used all their energy taking that gamble of bolting for light where there is none, so they've used up all their energy reserve and don't have the roots to sustain themselves long term.

They can be saved, but TLC is the answer.

The first thing I'd do is give it a severe hair cut. The less top growth it has, the less there is for the weak roots to have to support. All that top growth is looking for energy to survive. The weak roots just wont do it. I'd chop it right back so that on each stem as it emerges from the base, it only has two to four leaves on. I'd also keep it well watered, but not waterlogged, and keep it fairly cool (but not cold) and in a light windowsill but not one where it will get direct sun for more than an hour or two a day. This will give it a fairly stress free life where it can focus on developing more naturally. After a few weeks it will be strong enough to go outside and take its chances in open ground.

 

Would the same apply to Coriander re the hair cut? Thanks

 

Definitely, I keep recutting my coriander anyway as you can get several crops off one pot, especially at this time of year when growth conditions are favourable. Needs plenty of water and a feed wouldn't go amiss. You can also eat the stems and roots of coriander.

I woud generally agree with Clueless about the forced conditions for supermarket herbs but mint is such a tough cookie that it's going to be hard to kill it. Basil & coriander are more difficult to grow anyway.