Chia – 200 Seeds

Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. This super-food was grown by the Aztecs as early as 3500 BC.

Chia plants are drought tolerant with delicate tube-like purple flowers on tall spikes. The flower spikes are 10cm long and they develop into a seed-head with brownish grey, shiny seeds on plants 80+ cm tall. They require quite a bit of space in the garden and would do best in a garden bed rather than a pot. They will need as much space as a large bush or small tree would. The flowers attract native bees, honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

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Culinary Uses

• The seeds are high in Omega-3 and fiber and can be added to cakes and muffins, yogurt, desserts, drinks, and many other dishes.
• The seeds can also be prepared with water to make a gelatinous substitute for eggs.
• The leaves and stems are also popular in sandwiches, soups, salads and stews.

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Growing Chia

Indoor Sowing: Early Spring.

Direct Sowing: Mid Spring and Late Spring.

• Prefers well draining sandy soil, but also grows very well in clay soil, provided that the soil is well draining.
• Chia plants do best in full sun and the plant is very heat tolerant.
• Seeds can be started indoors in early spring or direct sow outdoors in mid to late spring, after all chance of frost has passed.
• If growing in containers, then add some sand to the potting mix, before sowing the seeds.
• Surface sow the seeds and do not cover them with soil, as the seeds need light for successful germination.
• Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, until the seedlings appear.
• Germination takes about 14 days at a soil temperature of 20-22°C.
• Carefully prick the seedlings out and move them to individual pots, if you plan to grow them in containers.
• Thin out direct sown seedlings so that they are spaced 30cm to 45cm apart, allowing them plenty of room to grow, as the plants are big plants.
• Can be grown in large containers, but tends to do better when grown in the garden.