The chia is anannual herbthat grows freely in warm zones and is native to Mexico and Guatemala.
Once established, chia plants are very low-care.
Read on for our care and growing guide.
The Spruce / K. Dave
The chia’s flowers form spikes that resemble wheat on stalks that can grow up to five feet tall.
Although the ornamental plant is pretty, the chia’s real star quality comes from its seeds.
Here are their basic requirements:
Light
Chia plants do best infull sun.
The Spruce / K. Dave
They’re very tolerant of heat, even in the hottest days of summer.
Soil
These plants are very adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions.
Their native regions tend to have sandy soil, but they’ll also grow in clay soils.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Good drainage is essential, however, as chia plants don’t like to stay too wet.
Water
Chia plants are verydrought-tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
Chia plants grow well in warm weather and are not cold-tolerant.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Keep your plant between 61 degrees and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
If your soil is rich, your chia plant won’t need fertilizer.
In poor soil conditions, consider adding a small amount of compost.
A sign the plant is ready to harvest is when the flowers lose their petals and begin drying out.
Don’t wait for the flowers to entirely brown; otherwise, you risk losing all the seeds.
Use sterilized pruning snips or scissors to cut off the flower below the spike.
Then, place the flowers in a paper bag.
Store the bag in a warm, dry place, giving the flowers time to dry out completely.
Shake the bag to release the seeds after one to two weeks.
When stored correctly, chia seeds generally last four to five years.
This usually means keeping them in an airtight container, away from moisture, and at a consistent temperature.
Dispose of chia seeds that have become slimy, moldy, have bugs, or clump together.
They should have a lovely, subtly nutty scent, not rancid or bitter.
If you live in the appropriate growing zone, you could sow chia seeds like other annual flowers.
Overwintering
Chia plant is not cold-tolerant.
This plant will die in cold temperatures.
Grow as summer annuals.
How to Get Chia Plant to Bloom
The chia plant is a flowering annual plant.
Read on to learn how to encourage bloom.
What Do Chia Plant’s Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The chia plant produces white or purple flowers in clusters at the end of a stem.
They have a minty aroma.
Singed Plant
Chia is sensitive to extreme heat, even though it is drought-tolerant.
To keep it healthy, give the plant extra water during a heat wave.
The seed’s high oil content makes it high in protein, fiber, and fatty acids.
The seeds also contain antioxidant compounds, including quercetin.
Chia seeds are commonly added to commercial foods like cereal, granola bars, yogurt, and baked goods.
They are frequently added to smoothies for a nutritional boost.
Chia seeds have a mild, neutral taste.
When eaten dry, they have a crunchy, slightly nutty taste similar to poppy seeds.
When mixed into pudding or added to recipes, they tend to absorb the flavor of the other ingredients.
Chia seed benefits: What you’re gonna wanna Know.Harvard Medical School.
