Chia seeds are widely promoted as a superfood in pudding, jam, and baked goods. You’ve also likely heard of chia in relation to the wacky “pets” that feature the sprouting plants as hair or fur on a terra-cotta figurine. Fortunately, you don’t need a gimmicky kit in the shape of a cute creature to grow versatile chia plants (Salvia hispanica). Whether you want to know how to grow a chia plant from seed and add the sprouts to your salad or grow them to maturity, you’ll find these plants are well worth the time and space in your garden.
Chia Overview
Genus Name
Salvia hispanica
Common Name
Chia
Additional Common Names
Mexican chia, Salba chia
Plant Type
Annual
Light
Sun
Height
3 to 5 feet
Width
2 to 3 feet
Flower Color
Blue, Purple
Foliage Color
Blue/Green
Special Features
Low Maintenance
Zones
10, 11, 8, 9
Propagation
Seed
Problem Solvers
Drought Tolerant
Where to Plant a Chia Plant
Chia plants are annuals native to Central America. They grow best in warm climates, such as the southeastern U.S. or USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. A chia plant can reach 3 to 5 feet tall and several feet wide in one season, so it needs a location with plenty of space.
How and When to Plant a Chia Plant
Learning how to grow a chia plant is easy when planting seeds in areas with mild winters. In the fall, soak chia seeds in water until their gel coatings absorb as much water as they can, after which they look a bit like frog eggs. Use a spoon to scoop up two or three seeds and set them on the surface of a prepared garden bed, spaced about three feet apart. Cover the seeds lightly and water daily until they sprout and begin growing vigorously in five to seven days.
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After they are established, chia plants are very low-maintenance. They can spread quickly, so keep an eye on them and stop them from overtaking other plants in your yard. They aren’t considered invasive and can quickly be controlled if needed with common herbicides.
Light
Chia plants need at least eight hours of full sun daily.
Soil and Water
Chia plants tolerate a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay, but the soil must drain well, or the roots may rot.
Seedlings and young plants need ample water. After the plants have fully established root systems, they are drought-tolerant and thrive in midday heat. Allow the soil to dry between waterings to help avoid root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Chia plants grow best in warm weather, with temperatures between 70°F and 85°F. They can survive chilly temperatures that reach the low 50s but are not cold hardy. Chia plants don’t have stringent humidity requirements but are known to do well in high-humidity environments.
Fertilizer
Chia doesn’t require fertilization when planted in rich soil. In poor soil, dig in some compost at planting time.
Potting and Repotting a Chia Plant
Chia plants can grow indoors in containers, but they require at least six hours of direct sun daily, so they need a sunny windowsill or grow lights. Select a terra-cotta pot with good drainage and fill it with commercial potting soil with some added sand. This annual doesn’t require repotting; just start over with fresh seed and soil in the same pot each year.
One particularly fantastic aspect of chia plants is their disease tolerance, lending them well to sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in desert regions. Any pests that attack them can often be treated with a mild organic pesticide such as neem oil.
How to Propagate a Chia Plant
Chia plants are prolific self-seeders, so they produce a new crop of plants each year without help.
Harvest Tips
To harvest the seeds for future crops (or for eating), deadhead the flowers at the end of the season after they dry out and the petals fall off. Put the flowers in a paper bag to preserve the seeds. When completely dry, crush the seed heads in the bag to release the seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nutritional value do chia seeds have?
Chia is exceptionally high in protein and fatty acids and is one of the few food sources that contain all nine amino acids humans cannot produce. Chia is also high in protein and fiber.
How do I sprout chia seeds for eating?
To eat chia as highly nutritious sprouts, spoon the seeds onto a water-resistant, sanitized surface and keep them moistened. The seeds should sprout and be ready to eat in two to four days.
Do chia plants flower?
Chia plants flower in late spring or early summer, producing minty-scented purple or white clusters of flowers.
Chia plants can grow indoors in containers, but they require at least six hours of direct sun daily, so they need a sunny windowsill or grow lights. Select a terra-cotta pot with good drainage and fill it with commercial potting soil with some added sand.
Chia plants can grow indoors in containers, but they require at least six hours of direct sun daily, so they need a sunny windowsill or grow lights. Select a terra-cotta pot with good drainage and fill it with commercial potting soil with some added sand.
How long does it take for chia seeds to grow? If you provide the seeds with the needed conditions (enough moisture and bright sunlight), they can sprout in 3-14 days! You can even find stories of people who say that stuck chia seed can germinate even on the dish sponge!
Also, you can use the same chia seeds that you get at the grocery store for eating purposes - they can sprout into little plants!) First, soak 1-2 Tablespoons of chia seeds in water for 4 hours or overnight.
Chia is grown for its seeds that are used in baked goods, overnight oats, and even in beverages. The leaves are also eaten, but more so when they're young as microgreens. As the leaves mature they become slightly bitter, making them preferable in earlier stages.
Each flower will produce 1 to 13 tiny seeds, averaging 1 to 2 millimeters in length, and the seeds range from cream-colored, tan, light brown, to grey. The seeds can be extracted from the flowers as they begin to dry, and once harvested, they can be consumed raw or hydrated for culinary use.
Both Chia seeds and Ginger have been shown in some studies to help suppress appetite. Feeling fuller for longer may lead to reduced calorie intake, which can contribute to weight loss, including fat loss in the belly area.
Chia is an annual herbaceous plant that can reach nearly 1 metre (3 feet) in height. Its lime-green leaves are oppositely arranged and have serrated (toothed) margins. The plant bears spikes of small blue, purple, or white flowers that have a high rate of self-pollination.
Your Chia Pet should last about 2 weeks. Once the chia seeds have run their course, it's easy enough to peel the layer off. Wash away any residual seeds, allow your Chia Pet to dry for a couple of days, and store it or go through the process again!
The seeds won't grow if they're too cold which can be an issue, especially during winter. We recommend loosely placing a plastic bag over the planter at night to keep it warm and create a greenhouse effect until the seeds sprout.
Introduction: Sprouting Chia and Other Small Seeds
Because these seeds form a mucilaginous coat when soaked in water they can't be sprouted using the usual mason jar method. These seeds are best grown on terracotta, clay or ceramic dishes or trays. If you are familiar with Chia Pets, this shouldn't be a surprise.
This plant grows in USDA zones 8 through 11, and newly developed seed strains have shown promise for increasing in even colder zones for commercial purposes. If you live in the appropriate growing zone, you can sow chia seeds like other annual flowers.
Chia is an herbaceous plant with opposite, serrated leaves approximately 1½ to 3 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. Also known as “lime-leaf sage,” plants reach a height of a little more than 3 feet at maturity. High planting density can result in 5- to 6-foot-tall plants.
Chia seeds are very absorbent and develop a gelatinous texture when soaked in water, making it easy to mix them into cooked cereal or other dishes. The seeds are not the only important part of the chia plant; the sprouts also are edible. Try adding them to salads, sandwiches and other dishes.
Where to Plant Chia Seeds. Chia do best in Full Sun conditions, and are tolerant of very warm temperatures. Although their natural habitat features sandy soil, Chia is adaptable and can do well in clay soils too. The key is that the soil they are planted in is well-draining.
Make sure the Chia Pet is getting some sunlight and there is fresh air flowing inside the room. We recommend that the Chia Pet is placed in an area where it can receive enough air, such as by a window or fan, especially if it is kept in the kitchen.
Introduction: Sprouting Chia and Other Small Seeds
Because these seeds form a mucilaginous coat when soaked in water they can't be sprouted using the usual mason jar method. These seeds are best grown on terracotta, clay or ceramic dishes or trays. If you are familiar with Chia Pets, this shouldn't be a surprise.
It will take about 4 months from sowing seeds to harvest. Separating the seed Once the plant has produced its pretty lavender blue spike of flowers it will dry off, beginning with the flower stalks. Chop these mature heads off as the begin to brown. Save them in a paper bag and dry them out well.
For the fastest sprouting results, chia seeds should only be grown with non-chlorinated water, such as bottled spring water or water that you have run through a filtration system.
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