Mentha × villosa

Mentha × villosa (syn: Mentha alopecuroides, Mentha nemorosa, Mentha villosa var. alopecuroides) is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between Mentha spicata and Mentha suaveolens.

The mint is traditionally used as a core ingredient in Cuba in the famous mojito, where it is known as yerba buena or hierbabuena (the drink is often made with spearmint outside of Cuba).

Description
Mentha × villosa is a herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant that grows to be 30 - 60 cm tall, with smooth stems, square in cross section. The rhizomes are wide-spreading and fleshy, and bear fibrous roots.

Cultivation
Mentha × villosa grows best in moist soil and part-full sun.

The variety was not commonly available outside of Cuba until about 2005, when it became commercially available in North America.