Chia Pets Are Still as Cute as Ever—and This Collection Champions Wildlife Conservation
Talk about a win-win, and a nostalgic one at that!
"Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!" We all know the Chia Pet jingle, the catchy tune that would make us run from another room in order to see what new pets were joining the lineup as kids. Now, as a late twenty-something, I'm stumbling into my green thumb era , which comes with the territory when you work for a publication like Better Homes & Gardens . While I don't have a garden plot here in Chicago , I have plenty of windowsills.
The newest addition to my indoor plant lineup is a limited-edition Chia Pet that is as cute as it is nostalgic. In partnership with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Chia Pets just announced the Wild Revival Collection , which celebrates five wildlife comeback stories made possible by wildlife conservation.
Meet the Chia Critters Promoting a Good Cause
The Chia Pet Wild Revival collection showcases five different animals who have all benefited from conservation efforts around the world, but particularly in North America.
Shoppers of the collection can bring home a red panda, American bison, sea otter, bald eagle, or sea turtle Chia Pet. Each pet in the Wild Revival collection costs $30, with a portion of the proceeds from each purchase donated to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Some of these animals, like the red panda, continue to face threats to their livelihood, so supporting organizations like the AZA remains vital.
Chia Pets Remain Beginner-Friendly
While the Wild Revival collection lineup made it a tough decision, I eventually settled on the sea otter. How could I not? They're holding a seashell in their little paws!
Even as a kid, I always felt like I could handle taking care of a Chia Pet . After all, the commercials make it look so easy! But I've also killed a succulent , so there were still some nerves upon unboxing my own Chia Pet. Luckily, throughout the years, Chia Pet care instructions have remained incredibly straightforward.
Tips
While some indoor plants thrive in high humidity environments like the bathroom, your Chia Pet prefers a relatively dry environment. Make sure not to overwater.
Instructions may vary depending on the shape of your Chia Pet, but for the most part, it's as easy as 1–2–3…4!
-
Soak your clay Chia Pet planter in water. A large bowl should be fine. Separately, soak the seeds in water.
-
Spread your soaked Chia seeds along your clay Chia Pet, and fill the water hole . Using your hands to handle the seeds will be your best bet, or you can fill a measuring cup and sprinkle them.
-
Keep your Chia Pet full of water. Moist seeds are estimated to sprout within 3-5 days.
-
Watch it grow!
Maintaining Your Chia Pet
After your Chia Pet sprouts, maintain it by keeping your clay planter moist and making sure it gets plenty of sunlight. This is why I prefer my indoor plants to be on a windowsill. I picked the kitchen window for my Chia Pet.
While your sprouts will last up to a month in good conditions, your clay planter is infinitely reusable. Simply pick out old sprouts, clean your planter, and start again with new seeds. Chia Pet seeds have a shelf life of up to 5 years when kept dry.
Credit: Chia Pet
Grab a Wild Revival Chia Pet of Your Own
As mentioned above, the Wild Revival Chia Pets are limited-edition, so make sure to snag one if you're interested. The collection is available for preorder now at chia.com and is set to ship out in November. Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!
Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens
