Chia Pets are a brand of collectible animal figurines manufactured and originated by the San Francisco, California based company Joseph Enterprises, Inc. Chia Pets achieved widespread popularity in the 1980s following the 1982 release of a ram, the first Chia Pet. Subsequent decline in popularity has relegated these objects to fad status. The catch-phrase related to the Chia Pet, sung in the commercial as the plant grows, is “Ch-ch-ch-chia!”
Chia Pets are grown by applying moistened seeds of chia (Salvia columbariae), the aromatic annual from whose common name the Chia Pet gets its name, to the clay, grooved figurine body. After three to five days consisting of filling and refilling the Chia Pet with water as well as discarding water that has accumulated in the provided drip tray, the seeds sprout, having formed a gelatinous coat that adheres to the Chia Pet’s body. At this point, little effort is required to maintain the Chia Pet, whose plant counterpart grows into a verdurous covering.
Enough S. hispanica seeds are provided with the Chia Pet for three plantings. Additional seeds can be purchased for use with the Chia vessel, which is reclaimable. Several Chia Pet animals are currently available, including a turtle, pig, puppy, kitten, frog, and an impeached president. Sculpted Chia Heads and Licensed Chia Pets based on popular cartoon characters like Garfield, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Shrek, and The Clintoons can also be found.
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