Chia Pets are American styled terracotta figurines used to sprout chia, where the chia sprouts grow within a couple of weeks to resemble the animal's fur or hair.

When you think about it, a chia pet is a figurine made out of terra cotta clay (the same as most flower pots) and is covered with chia seeds that you sprout into hair or fur.

Joseph Pedott, entrepreneur who made Chia Pets and the Clapper household names, dead at 91. CHICAGO (CBS) -- You may not recognize the Chicago native's name, but chances are you know the work of Joseph Pedott.

Yes, They're the Same Seeds from Chia Pets By 1982, the first commercially available Chia Pet was sold using the infamous time lapse ad campaigns. Blame Spanish Conquistadores for obscuring the health benefits of chia seeds.

The seeds produce a mucilaginous gel when soaked in water. Chia is a desert plant requiring little irrigation and grows well in sandy loam soils, but it is sensitive to frost and day length . The plant resists insect pests and disease and is a good candidate for organic production.

Yes, you can eat your chia pet sprouts! Chia pet sprouts are made from chia seeds, a type of edible seed that is rich in health benefits such as protein, fiber, and healthy fatty acids. They should typically be harvested when the sprouts reach about 1. 5 – 2 inches in length.

However, the species grown on the chia Pet is Salvia hispanica . The Chia was a major food for the aztecs and Indians. They roasted the seeds, mixed them with water and eaten them as gruel or ground into baking. The Aztecs also used Chia for Oil face painting and as ointment and emoilent.

Central America Its origin is believed to be in Central America where the seed was a staple in the ancient Aztec diet. The seeds of a related plant, Salvia columbariae (golden chia), were used primarily by Native Americans in the southwestern United States. Chia seeds have gained attention as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid.

The Chia Co The Chia Co The Chia Co. is the world's biggest producer of chia seeds.

However, the species grown on the chia Pet is Salvia hispanica . The Chia was a major food for the aztecs and Indians. They roasted the seeds, mixed them with water and eaten them as gruel or ground into baking. The Aztecs also used Chia for Oil face painting and as ointment and emoilent.

The plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala, where it was an important crop for pre-Columbian Aztecs and other Mesoamerican Indian cultures.

Once established, your chia plants should self-sow each fall. They're well-loved by pollinators (as many salvia flowers are), but they will also self-pollinate. The chia seeds will form in small seed heads beneath the flowers.

Things You Should Know Spread the seeds evenly onto the pet's grooves and wait 2 days to fill the pet with water. Place your Chia Pet in a sunny spot and check the water level daily as the seeds sprout and grow. If you spot mold, scrub the pet clean and start over.

The actual chia planter is made of terracotta, and they were originally made in Oaxaca, Mexico. In the late 1970s, Joe Pedott, founder of Joseph Enterprises, Inc., purchased the rights to Chia Pets after spying them at a trade show in Chicago.

A well-cared for Chia Pet usually lasts between 2 weeks and a month. Don't wait until the sprouts turn brown to pull them off.

The “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!” jingle is known across generations, and more than 25 million Chia Pets have been sold to date. Chia Pets are even in the Smithsonian! Learn more about the history of this unique, American icon below.