Gardening Season is Now Here

View Plants

Back to all plants

Mentha

Mojito Mint

Mentha x villosa

Also known as: Cuban Mint, True Mojito Mint, Yerba Buena

  • Herbs
  • Full Sun to Part Sun
  • High
  • 30–45 cm
  • 45–60 cm
  • 30–40 cm
  • Medium
  • Filler

Bloom window: Summer

Toxic to pets.

Mojito Mint is the classic Cuban mint used for authentic mojito flavor—softer and less aggressive than common spearmint, with bright green leaves and a clean citrus-mint aroma. Grow it contained for kitchen harvests all season.

Soil
Well-drained, Loam, Moist
Native status
Introduced
Growth rate
Fast
Flower colour
White, Purple
Foliage colour
Green
Foliage habit
Deciduous
Landscape use
Border, Container
Attracts
Bees, Butterflies

Care guides

Watering

Keep Mojito Mint on a steady moisture cycle so the top few centimetres never bake into a hard crust while plants are actively expanding foliage, bulbs, or fruit. Water at soil level early in the day, deeply enough to wet the full root zone, then allow light drying at the surface before the next thorough soak. In Steinbach patio pots and raised beds, check daily during July wind events—containers can dry out in a single afternoon. Reduce watering as crops finish or begin curing so flavours concentrate and storage quality improves.

Sunlight

Mojito Mint (Mentha hybrid) should be placed in full sun or part sun. Aim for strong morning sun and lighter afternoon conditions—about 4–6 hours of direct light is usually ideal. In Steinbach heatwaves, unfiltered late-afternoon sun can pause flowering or crisp soft foliage, so a site with dappled afternoon relief often outperforms an all-day reflective south wall. Deep shade, however, stretches stems and cuts bloom count sharply. At a mature size around 30–45 cm, give neighbouring plants enough space so they do not shade out the crown as the season progresses.

Pruning

Keep Mojito Mint productive by harvesting regularly and removing yellowing or damaged leaves promptly. Pinch or prune growing tips on herbs to force bushier branching, and stake or cage vining or heavy-fruiting crops before they flop. Clear spent plants after frost and rotate beds where disease has been an issue. Important safety note: while the harvested crop may be edible for people as intended, other plant parts can be toxic to pets—do not allow dogs or cats to chew stems, leaves, or green fruit.