Chia

SKU: V8458.pkt

COMING SOON - DUE SEPTEMBER Chia has had something of a moment in supermarket aisles over the past decad...

COMING SOON - DUE SEPTEMBER

Chia has had something of a moment in supermarket aisles over the past decade, marketed as a superfood in puddings, smoothies and baked goods, but growing it yourself brings you back to where it actually comes from: an ornamental, purple-flowered plant from Central America with a history stretching back to the Aztecs, who prized it as both food and medicine.

The plant itself is a pleasant surprise if all you know is the seed. It grows tall, with the soft, slightly aromatic foliage typical of the sage family, and produces spikes of small purple flowers that bees find hard to resist. Planted along a fence line or at the back of a vegetable bed, it earns its place as an attractive, useful border plant well before it sets any seed at all.

That last point matters for how you grow it. Chia is day length sensitive, meaning it only flowers and sets seed once the days start shortening in autumn, regardless of how early you sow it. Sow too early in spring and you will simply get a taller plant with a longer wait, rather than an earlier harvest. It pays to sow at the recommended time and let the plant do the rest on its own schedule.

Once the seed does mature, you are left with tiny, nutrient-dense seeds that are genuinely worth the wait, extraordinarily rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and protein. They can be used whole sprinkled over yoghurt or salads, ground into flour, or soaked to form the gel often used as an egg substitute in baking. Growing your own also means you can harvest the seed heads for drying or use them fresh in the garden as a talking point for visitors who have only ever seen chia in a packet.

For anyone keen to grow something a little different, that combines good looks, pollinator appeal and a genuinely useful harvest, chia is worth a spot in the garden this season.

Sowing Chia

Sow from October through to November, once the weather has properly warmed. Soil temperature for germination should sit between 18-24°C, and seed typically takes 7-14 days to come up. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin or transplant to 30cm apart within the row, with 45cm between rows, giving the tall plants room to grow without crowding. Chia is day length sensitive, so resist the temptation to sow earlier than recommended. Plants flower and set seed once days shorten in autumn, with seed ready around 120-180 days from direct sowing.

NZ $0.00

open-pollinated

new

asian-vegetable

Botanical Name

Salvia hispanica

Lifecycle

Tender Annual

Sowing Time

October - November

Preferred Growing Method

Direct Sow

Preferred Growing Conditions

Warmer Temperatures

Soil Temperature for Optimum Germination

18-24°C

Days to Germination

7-14

Days to Maturity

120-180 days from direct sowing

Sowing Depth

5mm

Plant Spacing

30cm within row, 45cm between rows

Plant Height

1-1.5m

Sowing Time

Sowing time refers to the optimum time for sowing seed of a variety to encourage strong and vigorous growth. Whilst some varieties may be able to be sown outside the range suggested, they will generally perform best when sown in the approximate seasonal ranges provided.

A lot of seeds need consistent warmth to help them germinate. The best way to achieve this is to sow at the right time. By sowing in season when the conditions are optimum for seed germination you are increasing your chances of success. Slight bottom heat, approximately 20°C, can speed germination of many varieties.

To reference the best sowing times for a variety, we use sow numbers as detailed here:

Early Spring
Late Spring & Early Summer
Late Summer & Early Autumn

Growing Method

DIRECT SOW

Soil Preparation: Turn over garden soil with spade or fork. A loose soil enriched with moderate amounts of organic matter or fertiliser to supply nutrients is best. Add any other conditioners such as peat moss, compost or sand etc., if not added the previous autumn. Break up the clods of earth and rake to produce a fine surface.

Sowing: Sow seed evenly in rows as directed. Lightly cover the seed with soil, a sieve may be useful. Depth should be no more than twice the diameter of the seed. In the case of very fine seed no covering is needed. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the soil to create a firm surface.

Watering: Water the soil either by a watering can or hose using a very fine spray until the surface appears damp.

Thinning: When seedlings are about 6cm high or have developed their first true leaves (recognisable as those of the sown species) the row should be thinned out to the plant’s required spacing.

Moisture Management: Keep soil moist but not drenched to ensure germination and rapid growth. When watering overhead, water earlier in the day to prevent having wet leaves overnight when the conditions are not as suitable for drying promoting disease development. The soil should appear dark and not brown to indicate appropriate moisture levels.

Annual

A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germinates, grows a plant, flowers, produces seed, dies) in one season. It may self-sow, thereby giving the impression of being perennial. Most annuals will flower 60 to 75 days from sowing.

Hardy Annual

An annual that does not need to be germinated indoors but can be sown direct into its growing position in the garden in spring and is tolerant of frost.

Tender Annual

An annual that is frost tender and can be germinated indoors. Sowing direct or planting outdoors must not occur until all danger of frost has passed (also known as a Half-Hardy Annual).

Biennial
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in two years - growing in the first, reproducing and dying in the second. Typically, but not always, producing flowers only in the second year.

Perennial

A plant that can live for more than two years, surviving the winter and flowering each year from the second season. Perennials may flower within 90 days of sowing in their first season but will more typically flower in their second season.

Hardy Perennial

A perennial that is frost tolerant.

Tender Perennial

A perennial that is frost tender.

Hardy

A plant that will survive frost.

Tender

A plant that will not survive frost.

Bolting

Going to seed. Premature formation of a seed stalk, may be due to plant stress.

Botanical Name

The formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature for plants. Identifies the genus and species to which the plant belongs useful in distinguishing plants uniquely.

Cotyledon

The seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form from the later true leaves.

True Leaves

The leaves that emerge after the cotyledons which are indicative of the true form
of the plant’s leaves.

Determinate

Growth stopped by development of terminal flower buds. A dwarf/bush variety which sets fruit in a concentrated period.

Indeterminate

Growth continuing indefinitely when leaf buds form at the tip of the growth. These varieties need to be staked and continue to set fruit until frost.

Heirloom

A variety that is older than two generations (50 years). Can also be referred to as “Heritage” and is always an open pollinated variety selected for garden performance (flavour, long harvest).

Hybrid

A plant resulting from a cross between two parent plants to give a genetically superior plant i.e. improved disease resistance, better vigour, more uniform harvest. Normally, seed saved from hybrids does not grow true to type.

F1 - The first generation of such a cross. Denoted in the name of the variety.

F2 - The second generation of such a cross etc.

Open Pollinated

Natural cross between plants of the same variety. Refers to non-hybrid seeds or plants.

Scarification

The practice of scratching, sanding, notching or nicking the seed coat to assist germination. Used for seed of species that have very hard seed coats.

Stratification

The process of chilling seeds to promote germination by breaking dormancy. Can be artificially carried out by placing seed in your fridge. Follow specific instructions online for the period of chilling time.

Surface Sow

Seed that requires light to germinate. Sow seed on the surface. Press down into the soil. Keep moist.

Germination

Seed germination is the process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow into a plant. It involves rehydrating the seed, activation of metabolic processes and the emergence of a young seedling from the seed coat. This process is triggered by factors like temperature, water and in some cases light.

Viability

The ability of seeds to germinate.

Vigour

The speed and the strength of the plant to establish well.

Delivery

Courier delivery by NZ Post.

Delivery available only to valid New Zealand
addresses.

The appropriate delivery charge will be applied at checkout.

Delivery charges are subject to change without notice.

You can track the status of your shipment via the link provided in your order confirmation email or by logging into your account online.

Click n Collect

Seed can only be collected from our warehouse at 189 Wharawhara Rd, Katikati.

Select Click n Collect at the checkout.

Click n Collect does not apply for collection at any Kings Seeds stockists nationwide.

Returns

Seed or Products can only be returned with authorisation from Kings Seeds.

Any request for the return of Seed or Products must be made within 14 days of delivery to info@kingsseeds.co.nz

Returned Seed or Products will only be accepted if unopened and in the same condition as when supplied and a record of your purchase can be found.

The Customer shall pay all costs in relation to return of the Seed or Products unless it is deemed a warranty issue.

Please see our Terms & Conditions of Sale for further information on our Returns Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow chia seeds at home in New Zealand?

Yes. Chia (Salvia hispanica) grows well in New Zealand gardens when sown from October to November in warm soil. It is a tall, ornamental plant with purple flowers, and the tiny seeds develop once the plant flowers in autumn.

Why shouldn't I sow chia too early in spring?

Chia is day length sensitive, so it only flowers and sets seed as days begin to shorten in autumn. Sowing earlier in spring won't bring the harvest forward, it will just give you a taller plant with a longer wait before flowering.

Are chia plants good for bees?

Yes. The purple flower spikes are very attractive to bees and other beneficial insects, making chia a useful addition to a garden focused on supporting pollinators as well as producing food.

What can I do with homegrown chia seeds?

Chia seeds can be eaten whole sprinkled over food, ground into flour, or soaked in liquid to form a gel that is often used as an egg substitute in baking. They are valued for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and protein.