How to Grow a Chia Pet

Co-authored by Maggie Moran

Last Updated: April 15, 2021 References Approved

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]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Starting Your Chia Pet

1
Soak 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.
2
Add 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.

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3
Stir the seed mixture after 15 minutes with a spoon. This will help the seeds soak more evenly.^{[2]
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4
Let 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.
5
Fill 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.
6
Spread 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.
7
Place 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]
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- 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.
8
Place 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]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Caring for Your Chia Pet

1
Check 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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2
Pour 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.
3
Turn 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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4
Watch 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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5
Pull 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.
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Community Q&A
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

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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
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Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

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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

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!