China Originally made in Mexico, Chia Pets are now produced in China. A range of generic animals has been produced, including a turtle, pig, puppy, kitten, frog, and hippopotamus. Cartoon characters have also been licensed, including Garfield, Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Shrek, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob.

Joseph Pedott, entrepreneur who made Chia Pets and the Clapper household names, dead at 91. CHICAGO (CBS) -- You may not recognize the Chicago native's name, but chances are you know the work of Joseph Pedott.

The animals have grooves in their terra cotta bodies. Chia seeds are moistened and patted into the animal grooves. Seeds absorb water. They sprout and--as the chia grows--look like hair on the animal.

1-2 WEEKS FULL GROWTH 1-2 WEEKS Watch as your chia seeds sprout and grow into Bob Ross's iconic hair.

terra cotta clay When you think about it, a chia pet is a figurine made out of terra cotta clay (the same as most flower pots) and is covered with chia seeds that you sprout into hair or fur.

Joseph Pedott Joseph Enterprises

Joseph Pedott Who is he? Joseph Pedott was an advertising executive and entrepreneur, best known for introducing Chia Pets to consumers after coming across the invention at a trade show in the late 1970's. Pedott was born in Chicago, and had a difficult childhood.

The “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!” jingle is known across generations, and more than 25 million Chia Pets have been sold to date. Chia Pets are even in the Smithsonian! Learn more about the history of this unique, American icon below.

The seeds produce a mucilaginous gel when soaked in water. Chia is a desert plant requiring little irrigation and grows well in sandy loam soils, but it is sensitive to frost and day length . The plant resists insect pests and disease and is a good candidate for organic production.

CHIA PET SEEDS ARE EDIBLE (BUT YOU STILL SHOULDN'T EAT THEM). Chia seeds aren't just for growing - they're also for eating. In recent years, health buffs have anointed the small, crunchy seeds as a new “super food,” as they're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, and fiber.

Those sprouts are just chia seeds that have been soaked (so the phytates have been released), pack a powerful nutritional punch, and are so tiny and tender, you can add them to any food and hardly even know there are there – or just eat them right off of your plant!