| Chia Pets are
a brand of collectible animal figurines manufactured
and originated by the San Francisco, California
based company Joseph Enterprises, Inc. Chia Pets
achieved widespread popularity in the 1980s following
the 1982 release of a ram, the first Chia Pet.
Subsequent decline in popularity has relegated
these objects to fad status. The catch-phrase
related to the Chia Pet, sung in the commercial
as the plant grows, is "Ch-ch-ch-chia!"
Chia Pets are grown by applying moistened chia seeds (i.e.,
those of Salvia columbariae, the aromatic annual
from whose common name the Chia Pet's name is
derived) to the clay, grooved figurine body. After
three to five days consisting of filling and refilling
the Chia Pet with water as well as discarding
water that has accumulated in the provided drip
tray, the seeds sprout, having formed a gelatinous
coat that adheres to the Chia Pet's body. At this
point, little effort is required to maintain the
Chia Pet, whose plant counterpart grows into a
verdurous covering.
Although enough S. columbariae
seeds are provided with the Chia Pet for three
plantings, additional seeds can be purchased for
use with the Chia vessel, which is itself reclaimable.
Several Chia Pet animals are currently available,
including a turtle, pig, puppy, kitten, frog,
and hippopotamus. Sculpted "Chia Heads"
and "Licensed Chia Pets" based on popular
cartoon characters can also be found.
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