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Chia pets are a popular toy from the '90s. They are terracotta pots shaped like animals or people, that are then covered with Chia seeds. When the seeds sprout, they look like fur or hair. When the sprouts die, you simply add more Chia seeds. You can also use another type of tiny plant, such as alfalfa, grass, or thyme.[1]
Steps
Starting Your Chia Pet
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1Soak your Chia pet in water for 24 hours. Take the terracotta pot out of its packaging, and put it into a bucket filled with water. The pet needs to be completely submerged. This will moisten the entire pet, and help the seeds stick to it better.
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2Add water. While the pet is soaking, put 2 teaspoons (5 grams) of Chia seeds into ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of water. This softens the seeds, and "wakes" them up. The seeds will start growing once they get wet. This will be enough for one pet. Chia pet kits often contain enough seeds for several pets.Advertisement
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3Stir the seed mixture after 15 minutes with a spoon. This will help the seeds soak more evenly.[2] You don't need to stir the seeds again after this.
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4Let the seeds soak for 24 hours. During this time, the seeds will form a gel-like coating. This will help them stick to the Chia pet.
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5Fill Chia pet all the way with water and place it in the tray provided. After the soaking time is over, take the Chia pet out of the water. Place it on the drip tray, and fill it with fresh water. The drip tray will catch any extra water. It will also protect your desk or windowsill from getting stained.
- If you don't have a drip tray, use a plastic dish or lid that is a little bit larger than your pet.
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6Spread the seeds evenly over the grooves in your Chia pet. Make sure that the seeds are somewhat sparse and spread out. You can use your fingers, a small knife, or even a spatula. Try to spread the seeds as evenly as possible; don't let them clump in any one area. If there is a hole in the top of your pet, take care to avoid it. This is where you will be pouring the water.
- You may not end up using all of the seeds.
- If your seeds aren't sticking to the Chia pet, empty the pot, and spread the seeds over it again. Keep the pot empty, and don't water the seeds 2 days.
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7Place a plastic bag over your Chia pet for the first 3 or 4 days if the air is dry. Don't let the bag touch the actual pet, however, or the seeds won't sprout. The plastic bag will help create a mini greenhouse for your Chia pet. Take the bag off after 3 to 4 days, when most of the seeds have sprouted.[3]
- If you are having troubles getting the bag to stay up, put a long stick inside the watering hole of your pet, then place the bag on top of that. The stick will prop the bag up, like a tent.
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8Place the Chia pet in a sunny spot, and wait for the seeds to emerge. Some gardeners will recommend waiting until the seedlings sprout before moving the pet into a sunny spot.[4]
Caring for Your Chia Pet
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1Check the water level every day, and refill the pet when it drops. Most Chia pets will have a hole at the top. You will need to pour the water through this hole. Try to use something with a narrow spout, such as a water bottle. If you get any water on the actual seeds, they may slide off.
- Some gardeners will recommend not watering the pet for the first two days so that the seeds can stick to the pot.[5]
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2Pour out the excess water from the drip tray every day. As you water your Chia pet, you may notice some water gathering in the tray. You should pour this water out as soon as possible, or it will become stagnant.
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3Turn the pet 180 degrees once a week if you are keeping it next to a window. This will help the seeds grow more evenly. Plants in general tend to grow towards the sun. If only one side of your pet is facing the sun, one side will be bushy and full, and the other will be sparse and thin.[6]
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4Watch out for mold and mildew. White fuzz is normal when Chia seeds first sprout. However, misting the seeds with water will help to reduce the fuzzy appearance, so make sure to do this daily. This fuzz is simply the root hairs, and they will disappear after the first week. If you notice white fuzz after the first week, you will need to start your Chia pet over. Scrape the seeds off the pet first, soak the pet for 30 minutes in a solution made from 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) bleach and 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water. Rinse the pet well with fresh water, and plant your Chia seeds anew.[7]
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5Pull the sprouts off when they become unruly and overgrown. Simply pull them off, and wash the Chia pet well using water and a scrubbing brush. At this point, you can reuse the pet, and plant more Chia seeds.
- Don't wait until the sprouts turn brown. They will be harder to remove.
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan you grow a Chia pet indoors?
Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerYes. Chia can grow in average light conditions and the room temperature indoors is suitable.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow long does it take to grow a Chia Pet?Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerThe seeds will sprout a few days after you plant them. The Chia Pet will continue growing for 1-2 weeks afterward.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionDo chia seeds come from Chia Pets?Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerChia seeds come from a plant in the mint family. They can be purchased from grocery stores, health food stores, and garden centers.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Things You'll Need
- Chia pet
- Bucket
- Water
- Small cup
- Measuring spoons
- Chia seeds
- Drip tray (usually included with pet) or plastic lid
References
- ↑ http://chia.com/chia-pets/about-chia-pets/
- ↑ http://chia.com/chia-pets/chia-pet-instructions/
- ↑ http://chia.com/chia-pets/chia-pet-instructions/
- ↑ http://carolinapetsupply.com/chia_pets.htm
- ↑ http://carolinapetsupply.com/chia_pets.htm
- ↑ http://joshmadison.com/1999/05/15/chia-pet-planting/
- ↑ http://chia.com/chia-pets/chia-pet-instructions/
- ↑ http://nutiva.com/company/faq/chia-faq/
- ↑ http://chia.com/chia-pets/chia-pet-instructions/
About This Article
To grow a Chia Pet, first soak the empty terracotta pot in a container of water for 24 hours. At the same time, soak 2 teaspoons (5 g) of chia seeds in ¼ cup (60 mL) of water. After 15 minutes, stir the seeds with a spoon, then let them continue to soak for 24 hours. You may notice a gel-like coating forming around the seeds, which is normal and will help them stick to the pot. Once the pot is done soaking, set it in the drip tray and fill it completely with fresh water. Spread the seeds evenly over the grooves on the outside of the pot. Then, place a plastic bag around the outside of the Chia Pet and let it stay there for 3-4 days to help trap humidity while the seeds are sprouting. Inflate the bag slightly or put a stick in the pot’s watering hole to prop it up so the plastic doesn’t cling to the outside of the Chia Pet. Keep your Chia Pet in a sunny spot, like a well-lit window. Once the seeds sprout, check the water level in the pot every day and top it off whenever it starts to drop. Empty the excess water out of the drip tray daily. Turn the pet 180° once a week to make sure all the sprouts get plenty of exposure to sunlight. Once the sprouts become overgrown, pull them off of the pet and wash the pot well with clean water and a scrubbing brush. Then, mix up more seeds and use it again. For tips on how to care for your chia pet from our Horticulturist reviewer, keep reading!
