Q&A for How to Grow a Chia Pet

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you grow a Chia pet indoors?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren 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 Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Chia can grow in average light conditions and the room temperature indoors is suitable.
  • Question
    How long does it take to grow a Chia Pet?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren 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 Gardener
    Expert Answer
    The seeds will sprout a few days after you plant them. The Chia Pet will continue growing for 1-2 weeks afterward.
  • Question
    Do chia seeds come from Chia Pets?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren 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 Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Chia seeds come from a plant in the mint family. They can be purchased from grocery stores, health food stores, and garden centers.
  • Question
    Do chia seeds grow in your stomach?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren 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 Gardener
    Expert Answer
    No. The stomach environment is not suitable for growing plants. They do absorb water so stay hydrated if consuming chia.
  • Question
    My Chia pet is starting to sprout. Do I continue to fill the container each day, or just mist it?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You continue to water it as needed. Be sure to monitor the water levels and refill when the level gets low.
  • Question
    Will chia grow in Zimbabwe?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, chia pets can be grown anywhere indoors. Be sure to continuously rotate the plant if raised in direct sunlight close to a window.
  • Question
    Exactly how much water do I add to the planter?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Leave the planter empty during the first 2 days after you apply the seeds. Then, fill it to the top with water. Check the water level daily and refill the pet so it's constantly full.
  • Question
    Can I grow a Chia Pet in something other than a terracotta pot?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Technically, yes. Any porous material that allows water to travel from the inside of the pet out to the seeds will work. Some people have made their own Chia Pets out of nylon or linen cloths.
  • Question
    My Llama Chia Pet says to soak for 30 min but the internet says 24 hours. What is it?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The official instructions state 30 minutes, but most users have found that a longer soak (several hours or up to 24 hours) saturates the terracotta even more and helps the seeds start growing more securely once you apply them.
  • Question
    How long does it last?
    Community Answer
    Plants on a Chia pet usually last about a month before dying off. When the Chia pet dies, you can plant new seeds.
  • Question
    There is grayish white mold all over my Chia Pet. Should I start over or is there anything I can do?
    Community Answer
    You will need to start over. Chia seeds cannot grow. Just rinse out the Chia Pet really well and start over.
  • Question
    I spread the seeds over my Chia pet, and as expected, I had extra. What am I supposed to do with these extra, wet seeds?
    Community Answer
    Many things! You can put it in a glass of water with a teaspoon of rosewater. You can put it in smoothies. You can put it in pudding. Pretty much anything else that's wet.
  • Question
    How big does the Chia pet get?
    Community Answer
    It should say on the box. Mine grew to 7 inches. Make sure to feed it!
  • Question
    Can I grow flowers in a Chia pet?
    Community Answer
    No, Chia Pets are designed just for the seeds that come with them. I have tried it and it did not work.
  • Question
    What would cause my chia not to grow at all? I followed the instructions and all I have are dead sprouts and seeds stuck all over the pot?
    Community Answer
    Maybe you need to add water to the pot. They do need to be watered in order to thrive.
  • Question
    Will direct sunlight be bad for growing a Chia pet?
    Community Answer
    If the sunlight is weak, it shouldn’t be too bad for your Chia pet, as long as it doesn’t evaporate the water.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article