What is a Chia Pet®?
A Chia Pet® is a novelty planter in the shape of an animal or human figure. To use the planter, people plaster it with seeds, and when the seeds sprout, the sprouts look like fur or hair. While the Chia Pet® is designed primarily as a novelty, it is technically possible to eat the sprouts, and people can grow herbs and other types of sprouts on their planters, should they so desire. These planters can be ordered directly from the company, or purchased at stores which stock home supplies. The first Chia Pet® was the Chia Ram, released in 1982 by a company based in San Francisco, California. These planters quickly swept the popular culture of the 1980s, becoming a hit item with people of all ages, and they were a much desired item in some communities. Many people grew familiar with the company’s slogan, “watch it grow,” and the distinctive television commercials to promote the Chia Pet®, featuring time-lapse photography and a catchy theme song. Although the Chia Pet® has yet to return to
