A grooved terracotta figure designed to hold moisture and guide sprouts.
Still a grooved terracotta planter, now shaped into a much wider range of animals, people and characters.
THE TERRACOTTA TIME MACHINE
Original Chia Pet vs. modern Chia Pets.
The essential joke still works: cover a clay figure with seeds and let the sprouts finish the sculpture. What changed is the face underneath all that green.
Compare then and now ↓THE SHORT ANSWER
The ritual survived better than the roster.
The current Chia line still centers on terracotta planters, chia seeds, water and the slow reveal of a green coat. That tactile, slightly ridiculous experiment is the part most people remember—and it remains intact.
The modern catalog is much broader. Licensed characters and celebrity designs now sit beside animal planters, so choosing the right face is the biggest difference between buying “a Chia Pet” and buying the one that matches your memory.
SIDE-BY-SIDE FIELD NOTES
What stayed. What sprouted.
“Then” describes the remembered product idea, not a claim that every historical model was identical.
DETAILORIGINAL IDEAMODERN LINE
Prepare seeds, coat the planter, add water and wait for the green coat to appear.
The same basic grow-it-yourself ritual remains, supported by current instructions and replacement seeds.
The ram and other animal forms made the sprouts look like wool or fur.
Licensed characters and celebrities turn the sprouts into hair, beards, manes and other visual jokes.
A famously odd novelty gift sold through memorable television advertising.
Still a novelty gift, but the design choice now matters as much as the growing experiment itself.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING
Three details make the difference.
The planter
Confirm the character or animal you want. Modern availability rotates, and a remembered design may not be current.
The complete kit
Check that the listing includes the terracotta planter, seeds, drip tray and instructions rather than a planter alone.
The grow time
This is still a living craft, not an instant display piece. Follow the current maker’s soaking, watering and light instructions.
THE VERIFIED FIELD NOTE
Yes, Chia Pet is still made.
See the current verdict, the official maker source, the continuity notes and the Amazon search built specifically for today’s Chia Pet listings.
01SINCE 1982
THE TERRACOTTA CELEBRITY
Chia Pet
The ram that launched a thousand jingles is still sprouting. The current maker sells dozens of designs today.
Made todayChecked Aug. 18, 2026
Read the field note →KNOW SOMEONE WHO STILL HEARS THE JINGLE?
Pass the planter along.
Save the comparison for gift season or send it to the person who remembers waiting for the first green sprouts.
BEFORE YOU START SPROUTING
Chia Pet comparison FAQ
Are Chia Pets still made?
Yes. Chia’s current brand catalog includes terracotta planters, seed packets, growing instructions and many character designs.
Do modern Chia Pets work like the original?
The core ritual remains recognizable: soak the terracotta planter, spread prepared chia seeds over its grooves, add water and wait for the sprouts to become the hair or fur.
What changed about Chia Pets?
The range has expanded far beyond the early animal planters. Modern Chia Pets heavily feature licensed characters, celebrities and pop-culture designs, and availability changes with the catalog.
Can a Chia Pet grow more than once?
The planter itself can be reused. Results depend on cleaning it, following the current instructions and using viable seeds; replacement seed packets are available from the brand.