Chia

Salvia hispanica

Lamiaceae (Mint)

Tiny omega-rich seeds from a heat-loving salvia. Needs a long warm season to ripen seed in Texas.

EdibleAnnualDrought-toughHeat-loverSurvival cropNutrient-dense

Chia (Salvia hispanica) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Low - drought-tough

Soil

Well-drained

pH

6.0-7.5

Hardiness

Warm-season annual

Height

3-6 ft

Spacing

12 in

Days to harvest

100-120

What it is

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Tiny omega-rich seeds from a heat-loving salvia. Needs a long warm season to ripen seed in Texas.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low - drought-tough, and give it well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0-7.5. Space plants about 12 in apart. Expect roughly 100-120. Warm-season annual.

How it's used

Chia is used: seeds (whole or ground).

🔎 How to identify it

Opposite toothed leaves
Square stems
Blue flower spikes

Edibility

PartsSeeds

UsesSeeds (whole or ground)

CautionNeeds a long season to set seed.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.