Practical
Plants

Salvia hispanica

Mexican Chia

an annual member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Salvia
Life cycle
annual
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

When soaked in water, the seeds form a gelatinous mass which is flavoured with fruit juices and consumed as a cooling drink[1][2]. The gelled seeds can also be prepared as a gruel or pudding[1]. The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, sandwiches, soups, stews etc[1]. Due to their mucilaginous property they are often sprouted on clay or other porous materials[1]. The seed can be ground into a meal and made into bread, biscuits, cakes etc, usually in a mix with cereal flours[1]. The seed is a good source of protein and easily digested fats[4].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Seed

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - C. Mexico.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ during April/May, though this sowing might not mature its seed in a cool summer[2].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light to medium well-drained fertile soil in a warm sunny position[2]. Plants are not very frost tolerant but can be grown as summer annuals in Britain[2]. This species is widely cultivated for its edible seed in Mexico. Many of the plants cultivated under this name are in fact S. lavandulifolia[2]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[3].

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  4. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

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