Desert Chia Seeds (Salvia columbariae)
A member of the Salvia (Sage) genus, Desert Chia is a resilient, beautiful native wildflower that has been part of Southwestern landscapes for thousands of years. This low-growing annual produces soft lavender-blue to purple flower clusters above silvery, textured foliage, thriving in open sun and well-drained soils where many plants struggle. Native to California, Arizona and the surrounding desert regions, Desert Chia is perfectly adapted to natural rainfall cycles, germinating with fall or winter moisture and blooming in spring before summer heat arrives.
Beyond its understated beauty, Desert Chia is culturally significant and highly functional. Its seeds have long been valued by Indigenous peoples for food and medicine, and the plant continues to support pollinators while requiring very little care. Easy to grow, drought tolerant, and unmistakably desert-adapted, Desert Chia is an excellent choice for native gardens, wildflower meadows, restoration plantings, and anyone wanting plants that truly belong in arid landscapes.
Native Range
Desert Chia (Salvia columbariae) is native to the Southwestern United States, including:
Arizona
California
Nevada
Utah
New Mexico
It naturally occurs in desert flats, open grasslands, foothills, and sandy or rocky soils.
Growing Information
Botanical Name: Salvia columbariae
Common Name: Desert Chia
Life Cycle: Annual
Height: 6–18 inches
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–11
Bloom Time: Early to mid-springHow to Grow From Seed
Best sown in fall or winter
Surface sow or cover very lightly
No cold stratification required
Germinates with cool moisture
Water lightly until established, then allow natural rainfall to take over
Readily reseeds under the right conditions
Why Gardeners Love Desert Chia
True Arizona native
Extremely drought tolerant
Easy to grow from seed
Pollinator friendly
Historically and culturally significant
Perfect for low-water and native landscapes
This is for 100 seeds
We combine shipping on all seed orders, you pay one flat fee for as many seeds as you would like for no additional shipping. Orders over $35 for any combination of items ship for free to the US!
