Chia Plant Cultivation

Chia plants grow purple wildflowers.

Chia plants, also called sage and salvia columbariae, produce seeds that many people around the world eat and make beverages from. Chia is a wildflower that is native to portions of the U.S.

Preparation

To cultivate chia plants, gardeners should first harvest chia seeds from existing plants or purchase them from a gardening store. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, when chia flowers dry out, the heads contain seeds.

Geography

Chia plants grow natively in the western portion of the United States, according to the USDA. It grows in Southern California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and northwestern Mexico.

Considerations

The USDA explains that chia plants grow well in desert conditions with lots of soil drainage, direct sunlight and little water. To plant chia seeds, harvest them from dried chia flowers and then rake the seeds into the surface of the soil, as suggested by the USDA. Do not plant them next to other plants that require lots of water, and provide regular waterings only until the seeds establish their roots.

Benefits

Chia plants add greenery to dry desert gardens. The Los Angeles Times also explains that chia seeds make a very nutritious food. The seeds contain fiber, protein, beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants, iron, magnesium and calcium.

References

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Chia
• Los Angeles Times: Seeds of Life: Chia, Flax, Hemp and Pumpkin