How to Plant and Grow a Chia Plant

Chia seeds are widely promoted as a superfood, appearing 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 grow them 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.

Where to Plant a Chia Plant

Chia plants are annuals that are native to Central America. They grow best in warmer climates such as in the southeastern U.S. or in 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

Growing chia plants from seeds is easy to do 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 to 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.

Chia Plant Care Tips

After they are established, chia plants are very low-maintenance.

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 the midday heat. Allow soil to dry between waterings to help avoid root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Chia plants grow best in warm weather with a temperature of around 70°F to 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.

Pests and Problems

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 mild organic pesticides such as neem oil.

How to Propagate a Chia Plant

Chia plants are prolific self-seeders, so they'll 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 they are completely dry, crush the seed heads in the bag to release the seeds.