Seeds of Chia (Salvia hispanica)
Chia from seed
Chia is an annual sage from Mexico and Central America, grown for its small mottled seeds, which swell into a gel in water. The plant reaches 60-90 cm, with soft, broad sage leaves and spikes of small blue-purple flowers late in the season. Golden chia sold under the same name is a different species, Salvia columbariae.
Height
60-90 cm, spread 30-60 cm
Start indoors
8-10 weeks before the last frost
Seed
small, mottled
Hardiness
Frost-sensitive annual
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How to sow
- Sow on the surface of a clean, well-drained mix or cover very lightly, and keep it evenly moist.
- Start indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost, or sow outdoors after it.
- Young leaves can be cut as microgreens.
Growing in Europe
Chia is frost-sensitive and flowers when the days shorten, so in much of Europe it flowers late and may not ripen seed before the first frost. Start it early, plant it out in full sun after the last frost and treat it as an ornamental and leafy herb, with seed as a bonus in a long, warm autumn. Left alone, it self-seeds in mild areas.
Questions
Can chia ripen seed in Europe?
In a long, warm autumn, yes. It flowers late as days shorten, so start plants indoors early.
When should I sow chia?
Indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost, or outdoors after it.
Is golden chia the same plant?
No. Golden or desert chia is Salvia columbariae; this is Salvia hispanica.