Ask for It by Name!

It only seems as if Chia Pets have been around forever. The clay figurines sold with seeds that eventually grow into luxuriant “hair” were actually first invented and marketed by Joseph Enterprises, Inc. of San Francisco, CA in 1977.

Chia Pets take their name from the chia plant (Salvia Columbariae) seeds that come with the figurines. Chia is actually a member of the sage family, and if you were to plant the seeds outdoors and wait a few months, you’d have a perfectly edible harvest. Mixed with water in a paste spread over the figurine, however, chia sprouts haven’t the room to grow roots and flourish.

Chia Pets today come in a wide variety of shapes, from Chia Kitten and Chia Hippo to Chia Heads and even a Chia Elmer Fudd, and can provide months of enjoyment for people who derive enjoyment from things that just sit there and grow slowly.

First hand research by the author has, however, firmly established that a Chia Tweety Bird is not considered an appropriate anniversary gift for a spouse.