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. Moistened seeds of chia (<i>Salvia hispanica) are applied to the grooved terra cotta figurine body.
Marketed by Joe Pedott and produced by San Francisco, California-based company Joseph Enterprises Inc., the first Chia Pet, Chia Guy, was created on September 8, 1977. A trademark registration was filed on Monday, October 17, 1977. Pedott first learned about Chia Pets when he attended a housewares show in Chicago in 1977. Chia Pets achieved popularity in the 1980s following the 1982 release of a ram, the first widely marketed Chia Pet. The catchphrase sung in the TV commercial as the plant grows in time lapse is "Ch-ch-ch-chia!". This catchphrase originated at an agency brainstorming meeting, where one of the individuals present pretended to stutter the product name. As of 2007, approximately 500,000 Chia Pets were sold annually, and they are sold only during the holiday season. Originally made in Mexico, Chia Pets are now produced in China.
A range of generic animals has been produced, including a turtle, pig, puppy, kitten, frog, and hippopotamus. Cartoon characters have also been licensed, including Garfield, Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Shrek, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob. Additionally, there are Chia Pets depicting real people, including Barack Obama and Bob Ross.
Joseph Enterprises sells replacement seeds for Chia products and also sells chia seeds in bulk as a nutritional supplement.
Release timeline
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- 1982 Wave 1â€"First widely marketed Chia Pet (later called Chia Ram) introduced.
- 1984 Wave 2â€"Chia Bull, Chia Puppy, Chia Kitten, Chia Teddy Bear and Chia Tree introduced.
- 1985 or 1986 Chia Teddy Bear discontinued.
- 1993 Wave 3â€"Chia Bunny, Chia Turtle, and Chia Herb Garden introduced.
- 1995 Wave 4â€"Chia Pig, Chia Frog, Chia Hippo, and original Chia Head (later called Chia Guy) introduced. Chia Ram and Chia Bull discontinued.
- 1996 Wave 5â€"Chia Elephant, Chia Kid, Chia Professor, Chia Clown and Chia Terra Cotta Herb Garden introduced. Chia Guy sold. Chia Herb Garden discontinued.
- 1998 Wave 6â€"Chia Cow and Chia Lion Cub introduced.
- 2000 Wave 7â€"Chia Dinosaur, Chia Elmer Fudd, Chia Taz, and Chia Tweety introduced. "Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards" included. Chia Mr. T issued briefly for TV Land promotion.
- 2002 Wave 8â€"Chia Scooby-Doo, Chia Shaggy, and Chia Homer introduced. "Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards" discontinued.
- 2003 Wave 9â€"Chia Bugs Bunny, Chia Daffy Duck, and Chia Bart introduced.
- 2004 Wave 10â€"Chia Shrek, Chia Donkey, Chia Garfield, Chia Cat Grass Planter featuring Sylvester and Tweety, and Gourmet Chia Herb Garden introduced. Chia Terra Cotta Herb Garden discontinued.
- 2006 Wave 11â€"Chia Alex and Chia Marty introduced, Chia Ram and Chia Bull reintroduced, Chia Teddy Bear reintroduced as Chia Bear, Chia Kid, Chia Clown and Chia Lion Cub retired, Chia Alarm Clock included with all Chia Pets, Chia Heads and Chia Tree, Cuddly Chia Puppy and Cuddly Chia Cub introduced.
- 2007 Pack-ins expanded to include Mini Chia Cuddly and Chia Watch.
- 2008 Wave 12â€"Chia Po, Chia Tree with Star Light, and Chia Cat Grass Planter featuring "snoozing kitty" introduced. Chia Ram, Chia Bull, Chia Turtle, Chia Bear, Chia Elmer Fudd, Chia Bugs Bunny, Chia Daffy Duck, Chia Tree, Cuddly Chia Puppy, and Cuddly Chia Cub discontinued. Pack-ins include Mini Chia Cuddly and Chia Playing Cards.
- 2008 Chia Obama "Determined" and Chia Obama "Happy" released in April 2009, after normal selling season.
- 2009 Wave 13â€"Chia SpongeBob, Chia Washington, Chia Lincoln, and Chia Liberty with Torch Light introduced. Chia Obama "Determined" added to normal production and selling season. Chia Turtle discontinued. Pack-in items in normal Chia Pets discontinued.
- 2012 Wave 14â€"Chia Hello Kitty, Santa with Chia Tree, Snowman with Chia Tree, Chia Romney, Chia Gingrich, Chia Paul, and Chia Gnome introduced. Chia Cow, Chia Professor, Chia Washington, Chia Lincoln, and Chia Liberty with Torch Light discontinued. Chia Pet Coco Crisp given away in a Summer promotion prior to normal selling season.
- 2013 Wave 15â€"Chia Willie, Chia Uncle Si, Chia Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Chia Mickey Mouse, Chia Flower Garden, and Chia Chef's Garden introduced.Chia Washington and Chia Liberty with Torch Light reintroduced. Chia Dinosaur, Santa with Chia Tree, Snowman with Chia Tree and Chia Romney discontinued.
- 2014 Wave 16â€"Chia Zombies and Chia Minnie Mouse introduced.
- 2016 Wave 17â€"Chia Emoji, Chia Pet Sparty, Chia Spider-Man, Chia Indominus Rex, Chia Winnie the Pooh Cat Grass, Chia Playful Puppy, Chia Cuddly Kitten, Zombie Dragging Drew, and Freedom of Choice 2016 series (Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) introduced.
- 2017 Wave 18â€"Chia Bob Ross, Chia Groot, Chia Hulk, Chia Princess, Chia Dinosaur, and three new Chia Emoji: Tears of Joy, Create Your Own (A customizable planter that the consumer puts stickers on), and Poopy are introduced.
Types
Chia Pets
All include seeds for three plantings and drip tray. All include "Watch-Me-Grow Chia Card" as of wave 7, excluding Ram and Bull, which were discontinued with wave 4, Chia Crocodile, which was introduced in wave 10, and Chia Bear, which was introduced with wave 11. Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards discontinued with wave 8. All include a Chia Alarm Clock during wave 11 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Chia Pet in 2006, in 2007 could include either the Chia Alarm Clock, Chia Watch, or Mini Chia Cuddly, and in 2008 could include either the Mini Chia Cuddly or a deck of Chia Playing Cards.
- Chia Ramâ€"Original Chia Pet (1982), discontinued with wave 4. Reintroduced in Wave 11 for the anniversary (2006), and discontinued again with wave 12.
- Chia Bullâ€"Wave 2 (1984), discontinued with wave 4. Reintroduced in Wave 11 for the anniversary (2006), and discontinued again with wave 12.
- Chia Puppyâ€"Wave 2 (1984).
- Chia Kittenâ€"Wave 2 (1984).
- Chia Teddy Bear/Chia Bearâ€"Wave 2 (1984) as Chia Teddy Bear, discontinued shortly after. Reintroduced in Wave 11 as just Chia Bear for the anniversary (2006), and discontinued again with wave 12.
- Chia Bunnyâ€"Wave 3 (1993).
- Chia Turtleâ€"Wave 3 (1993), discontinued with wave 13.
- Chia Pigâ€"Wave 4 (1995).
- Chia Frogâ€"Wave 4 (1995).
- Chia Hippoâ€"Wave 4 (1995).
- Chia Elephantâ€"Wave 5 (1996).
- Chia Cowâ€"Wave 6 (1998), discontinued with wave 14.
- Chia Dinosaurâ€"Wave 7 (2000), discontinued with wave 15.
- Chia Crocodileâ€"Wave 10 (2004).
- Chia Cuddly Kittenâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
- Chia Playful Puppyâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
- Chia Indominus Rexâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
Chia Pet Cuddlies
A trademark registration was filed for Chia Pet Cuddlies on June 29, 2006. Chia Pet Cuddlies are plush toys with soft fabric "Chia" fur bodies. They play the Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia jingle when a paw is pressed. The Chia Pet Cuddlies were only available during the anniversary period.
- Cuddly Chia Puppyâ€"Wave 11 (2006), discontinued with wave 12.
- Cuddly Chia Cubâ€"Wave 11 (2006), a bear cub, discontinued with wave 12.
Chia Heads
The Chia Head trademark registration was filed on Wednesday, June 7, 1995. All include seeds for three plantings and drip tray. Include Watch-Me-Grow Chia Card as of wave 7. Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards discontinued as of wave 8. Chia Guy and Chia Professor include a Chia Alarm Clock during wave 11 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Chia Pet in 2006, in 2007 could include either the Chia Alarm Clock, Chia Watch, or Mini Chia Cuddly, and in 2008 could include either the Mini Chia Cuddly or a deck of Chia Playing Cards.
- Chia Guyâ€"Original Chia Head, arrived in wave 4 (1995). Only currently produced Chia Head.
- Chia Kidâ€"Wave 5 (1996), discontinued with wave 11.
- Chia Professorâ€"Wave 5 (1996), discontinued with wave 14.
- Chia Clownâ€"Wave 5 (1996), discontinued with wave 11.
- Chia Lion Cubâ€"Wave 6 (1998), discontinued with wave 11.
Chia Emoji
Introduced in Wave 17, Chia Emoji are Chia Heads constructed of glossy yellow spheres with painted emoticons on them. The chia seeds are planted in the same manner as other Chia Heads.
- 😀 (Smiley)
- 😠(Heart Eyes)
- 😉 (Winky)
- 😂 (Tears of Joy)
- Create Your Own (a blank emoji head with stickers to customize the face)
- ðŸ'© (Poopy)
Licensed/Famous Chia
All include seeds for three plantings and drip tray. Looney Tunes planters included Watch-Me-Grow Chia Card until cards were discontinued with wave 8. Called Licensed Chia originally, then Famous Chia as of wave 10 until 2011. Retitled Licensed Chia Pet as of wave 14. Most Licensed Chia Pets are sculpted as a Chia Head type of planter, with exceptions noted below.
- The A-Team
- Chia Mr. Tâ€"Introduced just before normal selling period of wave 7 (2000). Limited run only.
- Looney Tunes
- Chia Elmer Fuddâ€"Wave 7 (2000), discontinued with wave 12.
- Chia Tazâ€"Wave 7 (2000), sculpted as a full body planter rather than a head.
- Chia Tweetyâ€"Wave 7 (2000).
- Chia Bugs Bunnyâ€"Wave 9 (2003), discontinued with wave 12.
- Chia Daffy Duckâ€"Wave 9 (2003), discontinued with wave 12.
- Scooby-Doo!
- Chia Scooby-Dooâ€"Wave 8 (2002).
- Chia Shaggyâ€"Wave 8 (2002).
- The Simpsons
- Chia Homerâ€"Wave 8 (2002).
- Chia Bartâ€"Wave 9 (2003).
- Shrek
- Chia Shrekâ€"Wave 10 (2004).
- Chia Donkeyâ€"Wave 10 (2004).
- Garfield
- Chia Garfieldâ€"Wave 10 (2004).
- Madagascar
- Chia Alexâ€"Wave 11 (2006).
- Chia Martyâ€"Wave 11 (2006).
- Chia Kung Fu Panda
- Chia Poâ€"Wave 12 (2008), a bust depicting the character from the waist up, rather than a head as most Licensed Chia are made, or a full body.
- Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants
- Chia SpongeBobâ€"Wave 13 (2009), sculpted as a full body planter rather than a head.
- Oakland A's Athletics and Extra Mile
- Chia Pet Coco Crispâ€"Given away at Oakland Athletics Stadium during the summer prior to selling season of (2012).
- Michigan State Spartans
- Chia Pet Spartyâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
- Hello Kitty
- Chia Hello Kittyâ€"Wave 14 (2012), sculpted as a full body planter rather than a head.
- Duck Dynasty
- Chia Willieâ€"Wave 15 (2013). Sports Chia growth on full beard as well as hair.
- Chia Uncle Siâ€"Wave 15 (2013). Sports Chia growth on full beard rather than having hair.
- Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Chia Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtleâ€"Wave 15 (2013). The planter depicts a generic Ninja Turtle from the hips up, sporting Chia growth on the shell on the back of the statuette.
- Disney Mickey Mouse
- Chia Mickey Mouseâ€"Wave 15 (2013). The planter does not depict a character, rather is in the shape of a flower pot with a globe resting on top, and black enameled Mickey Mouse ears on the globe. The globe sports the Chia growth.
- Chia Minnie Mouseâ€"Wave 16 (2014). Sports Chia growth on her ears.
- Marvel Comics
- Chia Spider-Manâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
- The Muppets
- Chia Kermit
- The Joy of Painting
- Chia Bob Rossâ€"Wave 18 (2017).
Chia Zombie
Chia Zombies were released prior to Wave 16 (2014) and are intended as Halloween decor.
- Restless Handâ€"features a hand growing out of a bush of chia.
- Creepy Holdenâ€"male zombie.
- Lifeless Lisaâ€"female zombie.
- Dragging Drewâ€"crawling zombie. Introduced in Wave 17.
Chia: Proud to be American/Freedom of Choice
All include seeds for three plantings and drip tray. The presidents and 2012 candidates are sculpted as heads, atop a base that is thicker than normal for a Chia Head planter. The Statue of Liberty is sculpted as a bust, and depicts the uplifted right arm holding the torch. The bases of each are printed with black lettering. The line began as Chia: Proud to be American in 2009, and was rebranded Chia: Freedom of Choice in 2012. Chia Obama "Determined" was the only piece to be carried over, repackaged only as Chia Obama.
- Chia Obama "Determined"â€"released April 2009, after the normal 2008 selling season, and then continued production with Wave 13 (2009). Base of planter is engraved with "BARACK OBAMA 44th President USA" on the front, and "Yes We Can" on both sides. All engravings remain unchanged in the Freedom of Choice version.
- Chia Obama "Happy"â€"released only in April 2009, after the normal 2008 selling season. Base of planter is engraved with "BARACK OBAMA 44th President USA" on the front, and "Yes We Can" on both sides.
Shortly after the release of the Chia Obama, Walgreens pulled the product saying it does not fit their image.
- Chia Washingtonâ€"Wave 13 (2009). Base of planter is engraved with "GEORGE WASHINGTON 1st President USA" on the front, "Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected" on one side, and "Liberty, when it begins to take root is a plant of rapid growth" on the other side. Discontinued with wave 14, but reintroduced with wave 15.
- Chia Lincolnâ€"Wave 13 (2009). Base of planter is engraved with "ABRAHAM LINCOLN 16th President USA" on the front, "Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today" on one side, and "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves" on the other side. Discontinued with wave 14.
- Chia Liberty with Torch Lightâ€"Wave 13 (2009). Base of planter is engraved with "STATUE of LIBERTY" on the front, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore." on one side, and "Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door." on the other side. The plastic torch flame on the planter lights up, and changes between red, orange, and yellow color while it remains lit. It is powered by two AAA batteries, which are included with the planter when purchased. Discontinued with wave 14, but reintroduced with wave 15.
- Chia Romneyâ€"Wave 14, beginning prior to normal selling season. Base of planter is engraved with "WILLARD "MITT" ROMNEY". There are no side engravings. Discontinued with wave 15.
- Chia Gingrichâ€"Wave 14, beginning prior to normal selling season. Base of planter is engraved with "NEWTON "NEWT" GINGRICH". There are no side engravings.
- Chia Paulâ€"Wave 14, beginning prior to normal selling season. Base of planter is engraved with "RON PAUL". There are no side engravings.
- Chia Bernie Sandersâ€"Wave 17.
- Chia Hillary Clintonâ€"Wave 17.
- Chia Donald Trumpâ€"Wave 17.
Chia Trees
- Chia Treeâ€"Wave 2 (1983), includes seeds for three plantings and drip tray, can be used as a candle holder. Included 'Watch-Me-Grow Chia Card' as of wave 7, but no longer as of wave 8. Includes a Chia Alarm Clock during wave 11 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Chia Pet in 2006, and in 2007 could include either the Chia Alarm Clock, Chia Watch, or Mini Chia Cuddly. Discontinued with wave 12.
- Chia Tree with Star Lightâ€"Wave 12 (2008), includes seeds for three plantings, drip tray, battery canister, and Star Light. The Star Light is powered by two AA batteries and changes through colors as it remains on. Its battery canister is placed down into the Chia Tree through the same hole used to fill the planter with water and to hold a candle on the original Chia Tree.
- Santa with Chia Treeâ€"Wave 14 (2012), includes seeds for three plantings, terra cotta planter base/tray, terra cotta Santa Claus figurine, Mini Chia Tree planter. Discontinued with wave 15 after only one year production.
- Snowman with Chia Treeâ€"Wave 14 (2012), includes seeds for three plantings, terra cotta planter base/tray, terra cotta Snowman figurine, Mini Chia Tree planter. Discontinued with wave 15 after only one year production.
Chia Gnome
- Chia Gnomeâ€"Wave 14 (2012), a planter sculpted in the shape of a seated gnome. Rather than hair, the planter is crafted such that the growing Chia forms a beard on the Gnome's chin and chest. Includes seeds for three plantings and plastic drip tray.
Herb Gardens
All include various things, so each is given a complete listing.
- Chia Herb Gardenâ€"Wave 3 (1993) initial version: six pots (plastic), six saucers (plastic), time-release plant food, growing mix for six pots, six packets of different herb seeds (cilantro, sweet marjoram, sweet basil, chives, curled cress, thyme), six plant markers, recipe book. Discontinued with wave 5 (1996).
- Chia Terra Cotta Herb Gardenâ€"Wave 5 (1996) second version: four pots (terracotta), four saucers (terracotta), four Chia Growing Sponges, six packets of herb seeds (cilantro, sweet marjoram, basil, chives, dill, parsley), six plant markers, four saucer liners, and recipe book. Discontinued with wave 10 (2004).
- Gourmet Chia Herb Gardenâ€"Wave 10 (2004), includes four pots (terracotta), four saucers (terracotta), four Chia Growing Sponges, six packets of "gourmet" herb seeds (cilantro, sweet marjoram, sweet basil, chives, dill, curled parsley), six plant markers, four saucer liners, and recipe book.
Chia Chef's Garden
The Chia Chef's Garden is another step in the direction of the Chia Herb Gardens, in this case designed to grow vegetables indoors. The set includes three terra cotta pots, three terra cotta saucers, three Chia Wonder Soil inserts, and six packets of seeds (in sweet basil, tomatoes, and peppers) and recipe/tip book.
Chia Cat Grass Planters
All include Chia Growing Mix, Cat Grass seeds (a mix of sweet oat and wheat grass) for three plantings, and a plastic saucer. The purpose of the Chia Cat Grass Planter is to give something tasty and nutritious for cats to eat, rather than one's Chia Pets.
- Chia Cat Grass Planter featuring Sylvester and Tweetyâ€"Wave 10 (2004), original Chia Cat Grass Planter with Sylvester and Tweety from the Looney Tunes on the planter.
- Chia Cat Grass Planter featuring "snoozing kitty"â€"Wave 12 (2008), a new Chia Cat Grass Planter was introduced alongside the original, depicting a non-licensed grey cat sleeping on the edge of the planter. The moniker "snoozing kitty" is used to differentiate its listing on the Joseph Enterprizes web-site, but is not used on the packaging.
- Chia Winnie the Pooh Cat Grass Planterâ€"Wave 17 (2016).
Chia Flower Garden
- Paperwhites Planter featuring a terra cotta Winnie the Pooh planter, a Chia Wonder Soil insert, and three paperwhites flower bulbs.
Promotional items
At various times, promotional items were available, packaged with some Chia Collectibles, rather than being available individually.
Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards
Available from 2000 to 2001, with most Chia products (except for the Terra Cotta Herb Garden). A Watch-Me-Grow Chia Card displays a changing image of the Chia item it was packaged with in various stages of growth, from the bare Terra Cotta statue, to the fully grown image normally displayed on the packaging. During the time they were available, the cards were rubber-pasted to the front of the packaging, where the usual product image was normally located, though still sealed under the outer layer of shrink-wrap. Watch-Me-Grow Chia Cards were available depicting the following items: Chia Puppy, Chia Kitten, Chia Bunny, Chia Turtle, Chia Pig, Chia Frog, Chia Hippo, Chia Elephant, Chia Cow, Chia Dinosaur, Chia Guy, Chia Kid, Chia Professor, Chia Clown, Chia Lion Cub, Chia Elmer Fudd, Chia Taz, Chia Tweety, and Chia Tree.
Chia Alarm Clock
Available packaged with all Chia Pets, the two remaining Chia Heads, and the Chia Tree during wave 11 in 2006 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Chia Pet. The Chia Alarm Clock is a small plastic LCD alarm clock resembling Chia Puppy at full growth, and plays the Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia jingle as its alarm sound.
Mini Chia Cuddly and Chia Watch
In 2007, pack-ins were available with the same items as the previous year, but were expanded. The Chia Alarm Clock continued to be available, but packages could also contain a Mini Chia Cuddly in the shape of the bear cub, or a Chia Watch, which was a simple digital watch with a clear gel watchband having tiny colored images of various Chia Pets stamped on it. Each packaged Chia Pet, Chia Head, or Chia Tree displayed a decal indicating which of the three pack-ins would be found inside. The Mini Chia Cuddly was available with the regular Chia Pets in 2007 and 2008.
Chia Playing Cards
In 2008, the pack-ins included only the previously available Mini Chia Cuddly and a new deck of Chia Playing Cards. The cards were of the standard four-suit playing card variety, and had pictures of various Chia Pets in the center of each card.
References
External links
- Official Chia Pet website of Joseph Enterprises, Inc.
- News.com: Chia Pet seeks Web name ch-ch-change
- A look at a Chia Pet growing in pictures
