How to Grow Herbs With a Chia Pet

The Chia Pet first appeared in 1982 when Joseph Enterprises distributed its first pet, the ram. Today the Chia Pet comes in various animal and cartoon forms. The pet comes with a package of Chia seeds, which are moistened and spread over the clay form. Herbs like marjoram, thyme, basil, timothy and alfalfa can also be grown successfully on a Chia Pet.

Instructions

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of Chia or similar herb seeds with 1/4 cup of water and let them soak for 24 hours to germinate the seeds.

2. Soak your Chia Pet clay planter in its own container for 24 hours.

3. Use your fingers, a butter knife or a putty knife to apply the herb seeds to the exterior of your Chia planter as evenly as you can.

4. Fill your Chia Pet planter with water and set it on a plate or in a plant saucer to catch any water leakage.

5. Add water daily to maintain the Chia Pet planter's water level.

Tips & Warnings

• Chia's herb have health benefits in their own right. Its high water-soluble fiber content turns to gelatin when in the stomach. The resulting gelatin acts as a barrier to carbohydrate absorption, slowing the conversion of carbs into sugar.

• Herbs should sprout within three to five days after application to the Chia Pet planter. If your herbs are having problems sprouting, tent some plastic wrap over the planter being careful not to let the plastic touch the planter. Remove the plastic once the herbs sprout.