Chia
Salvia columbariae
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- Salvia columbariae
- USDA Symbol:
- SACO6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pyrausta dapalis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Annual that recolonizes burned areas from seed bank; benefits from post-fire open conditions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with moisture; light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed germination is stimulated by the presence of charred wood or aqueous extracts of it
Establishment: S. columbariae is found within mattoral vegetation association of California.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Most interbreed and seed may not be what is labelled