Chia seeds are enjoying newfound popularity thanks to their wide selection of nutritional and health benefits.

The chia is an annual herb that grows freely in warm zones, and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. The name may be a Mayan word meaning “strength” but is additionally derived from an Aztec word for “oily”. it’s also known by its botanical name which is Salvia hispanica. A member of the Lamiaceae or Labiatae , salvia is that the largest genus. These sorts of plants are known for assertive growth and, in some cases, aggressive spread, like many mint plants.

Chia plants are very low-care once established. The chia’s flowers form on spikes that resemble wheat, on stalks which will get older to 5 feet tall. the small bell-shaped flowers on display from late spring to early summer are a satisfying violet-blue color. Although the plant has some ornamental value in itself, the chia’s real star-quality comes from its seeds.

Benefits of Chia Seeds

The chia’s seeds are a valuable food crop commonly referred to as a “pseudocereal” since it’s a seed and not a grain. They’re grown throughout Mexico and Guatemala for this purpose, also because of the southeastern us.

The seed’s high oil content is caloric and it’s bursting with nutrients including thiamine, niacin and various dietary minerals including manganese, selenium, phosphorous, and copper.

They also contain antioxidant compounds, including quercetin. These compounds are believed to scale back the danger of cancer and other diseases, including heart condition . The antioxidants also give chia seeds a really long time period , as they assist prevent rancidity. this will be a drag with the storage of other oil-producing seeds. Chia seeds even have many fiber, high-quality protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds are studied extensively for his or her health benefits and are recommended for diabetes treatment, and helping to lower cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and vital sign .

These heart-healthy seeds are commonly added to commercial foods like cereal, granola bars, yogurt, and food . they’re frequently added to smoothies for a nutritional boost.

The seeds also can be prepared with water to form a gelatinous substitute for eggs, commonly utilized in vegan baking, almost like how flax seeds are often wont to make an egg replacement.

Scientific Name Salvia hispanica
Common Name Chia
Plant Type Annual
Mature Size 5 feet
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type Tolerant of all soils, prefers clay or sandy
Soil pH Tolerant of all soils
Bloom Time Early summer
Flower Color Pale blue
Hardiness Zones USDA 8-11
Native Areas Mexico, Guatemala
Toxicity Non toxic
Small brown seeds opened up on a round wooden chopping board
Chia seeds are filled with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and antioxidants. Brent Hofacker / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Chia Plant Care

If you would like a harvest of those seeds to be used in your house , fortunately, chia plants are easy to grow and low-maintenance once established, especially if you reside during a hot region of North America.

Light

Chia plants do best fully sun. They’re very tolerant of warmth , even within the hottest days of summer.

Soil

These plants are very adaptable to a good range of soil conditions. Their native regions tend to possess sandy soil, but they’ll had best in clay soils also . Good drainage is vital , however, as chia plants don’t wish to stay too wet.

If growing your chia plants in pots, use a billboard growing mix with a touch of sand added, and use unglazed terracotta pots permanently moisture absorption.

Water

Chia plants are very drought-tolerant. They enjoy regular watering until they’re established, but then may have little to no additional watering, as they have a tendency to regulate to all or any kinds of conditions.

They’re known to be one among the primary plants to re-emerge after a fireplace , a sign of their hardiness and adaptableness .

Growing Chia Plants From Seeds

This plant grows in USDA zones 8-11, and newly-developed strains of seed have shown promise for growing in even colder zones for commercial purposes.

If you reside within the appropriate growing zone, you’ll sow chia seeds as you’d other annual flowers.

Prepare your bed of soil within the fall, and scatter seeds lightly over, just barely covering with soil. Water lightly every day until sprouts appear.

Once established, your chia plants should self-sow each fall. They’re well-loved by pollinators (as many salvia flowers are), but they’re going to also self-pollinate. The chia seeds will form in small seed heads beneath the flowers.

Black vs White Chia

You may have seen white and black chia seeds within the store. Those seeds don’t come from different varieties; they’re from an equivalent plant, Salvia hispanica.

However, if you plant white seeds, you’re more likely to urge a plant with more white seeds. Black chia seeds have slightly more protein, but the difference is little .

If you see brown seeds, they’re either immature or not chia seeds in the least .

Seed varieties are available winter and summer types. They grow an equivalent way, but need different handling.

You may also see desert chia, or golden chia, Salvia columbariae. This plant is native to the western us . It’s utilized in an identical thanks to chia, though it’s a special plant.

How to Grow Chia

Chia is a pretty plant with delicate tube-like purple and white flowers on tall spikes. They belong to the Labiatae. This herb is native to Mexico and Guatemala.

The plants get around 5 feet tall.

Where to Plant Chia

Chia performs well in USDA zones 8 to 12. Frost kills immature plants and should prevent flowering on mature plants. If you don’t sleep in these zones, you’ll still plant chia as an annual.

The plants need warm temps to start out growing. It shouldn’t get below 70°F.

Chia need full sun. Chia plants grow naturally in countries on the brink of the equator so bear that in mind when deciding where to place it.

Aim for a pH of 6 to eight .5. Chia prefer sandy, well-drained soil. They’re desert plants, in order that they can’t stand wet feet.

A deficiency of nitrogen will negatively impact flower formation and seed yield.

When to Plant

When to plant depends on which sort of seeds you’ve got .

Sow winter chia within the fall for an early summer harvest.

Summer chia don’t like cool spring temperatures. inseminate late spring for a late summer or fall harvest.

Container Planting

Chia seeds are often grown in pots, but I’ve always found the expansion to be stunted. Chia plants grow the dimensions of an outsized bush and far prefer the garden.

You have two options with container growing. the primary is to use an outsized container – 20 gallons is sufficient. This way, you’ll still get a pleasant seed harvest.

The second option is to use a smaller container and grow the plant to use the leaves for tea. You likely won’t get an honest seed output during a small container, however.

Planting Seed

You can purchase chia seeds from the supermarket and use them to plant. I’ve bought organic chia seeds from a food store. The germination rate was overflow 80%.

Better still, purchase seeds from a seed company.

To get the simplest result, plant inside in seed raising mix in small pots. Sprinkle alittle number of seeds on the surface of the soil and water well. When the plant is about three inches tall, transplant into the garden.

You can sow seeds directly into the garden. Sprinkle on the soil and water well. Thin out as needed .

Microgreens

If you don’t want to plant the seeds within the garden, but still want the health benefits of chia, use the sprouts as microgreens.

Put a seed raising mix during a shallow, wide container. Sprinkle chia seeds over the surface and water. Don’t worry about burying them.

The seeds will germinate quickly. nip once they reach a couple of inches tall.

Planting Seedlings

Once your chia plant reaches 3 inches, you’ll transfer it to the garden in suitable conditions. you’ll get to use cloches if it’s still cool outside.

Spacing

You can plant chia as an annual or perennial. As an annual, plant seedlings, or sow the seeds 12 inches apart.

As a perennial, space about 18 inches apart. this is often to permit the chia to opened up . Let one or two bolt and drop their seed in order that they regrow next season.

Caring for Chia Plants

Chia are fuss-free once you’ve gotten them established. Sometimes achieving flowering are often a challenge, but that’s generally thanks to insufficient temperature. Plants do best when it’s above 85°F.

Fertilizer

Before planting chia, dig well-rotted manure into the soil every week or two before planting. Once the chia flies, you don’t get to re-fertilize.

Water

Water your chia every day when the plant is extremely young. Once it becomes established, water the mature plant only there isn’t tons of rain. Chia is fairly drought tolerant and accepts intermittent watering.

Pruning

There is no got to prune chia. If any flowers die before it’s time to reap the seeds, remove the dead flower to encourage the expansion of the latest flowers.

Companion Planting for Chia

Chia can get older to 5-feet tall so plant with herbs that won’t compete with height.

I’ve had particularly good success planting chia with:

• Sage
• Mint
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Cilantro

Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Chia
Chia is fairly pest and disease resistant.

In some cases, you’ll find the plant happy and healthy even when other plants have succumbed to rampant disease. Still, the subsequent may impact chia plants.

Fusarium Wilt

This is a significant fungus that affects many plants. If your plants contract it, it withers and eventually dies. There are various sprays and concoctions you’ll purchase to regulate wilt.

Try neem oil because you’ll be eating the seeds or making tea so chemical residue may be a concern. Neem oil has been shown to inhibit wilt , so use it as a preventative spray.

This prevention is all the more important if you had any plants with wilt last season, especially tomatoes.

Ways to stop wilt include:

• Remove all weeds
• Remove all debris from the chia plants
• Use certified seeds
• Clean all gardening equipment

Cucumber Mosaic Virus

This devastating virus is one of the foremost common plant viruses within the world. Leaves become mottled or blistered with white, green, or yellow blisters. The leaves curl and become crinkled. The chia plant is going to be stunted in growth.

Unfortunately, once your plant gets cucumber mosaic virus, you want to remove it and either burn or bag up the material .

Prevention is important . Use neem oil as a preventative spray. Cucumber mosaic virus is usually spread by aphids, so if you control aphids, you prevent many other plant problems.

Harvesting Chia

Timing is vital. If you don’t harvest in time, the chia plant will self-seed and drop your harvest.

Watch the Flowers

Don’t allow the flowers to travel brown on the plant as you’ll lose much of the seed harvest. As soon because the petals have mostly fallen off the flower, snip the flower heads off.

Don’t hang chia flowers to dry or you’ll rise up within the morning to seek out all the seeds have fallen on the ground . Instead, put them in paper bags to dry.

When the flowers are dry, carefully remove and place on a flat, clean and dry table. Simply crush and roll with the palm of your hand and therefore the seeds will easily begin .

Brush into a sieve and move the seeds around to erupt small dust. Remove any plant bits you don’t want.