Chia Pets are a fun and easy way to grow your own plants, and they've been around for over 40 years. The first Chia Pet was created in 1977 by Joe Pedott, a California businessman who was inspired by the chia seeds he saw growing in Mexico. Pedott realized that chia seeds could be easily grown in a variety of shapes, and he came up with the idea of creating a line of pottery planters that would allow people to grow their own chia pets.

When Did Chia Pets Come Out?

The Birth of Chia Pets

Joe Pedott was a ceramics instructor at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, when he first created Chia Pets. He was inspired by the chia seeds he saw while traveling in Mexico, and he realized that they could be used as a fun way to teach students about the science of plant growth. Pedott created his first Chia Pet prototype in 1977, and he quickly realized that he had a hit on his hands. He patented his design and began selling Chia Pets to gift shops and novelty stores across the country.

The Early Years

In the early days, Chia Pets were only available in a few select shapes, such as the classic Chia Head and the Chia Dog. But as the popularity of Chia Pets grew, Pedott began to expand the line of available shapes. By the early 1990s, there were hundreds of different Chia Pet designs available, including everything from animals and cartoon characters to celebrities and sports teams.

The Chia Craze

In the mid-1990s, Chia Pets experienced a major resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to their appearance in a number of popular television shows and movies. This newfound popularity led to the creation of even more Chia Pet designs, and Chia Pets became a staple of gift shops and novelty stores across the country.

Chia Pets Today

Today, Chia Pets are still a popular way to grow your own plants, and they're available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Chia Pets are a fun and easy way to add a touch of green to your home or office, and they're also a great way to teach children about the science of plant growth.