Chia pet plants turn an ordinary windowsill into something worth watching grow. Each planter starts out as a plain terra cotta or ceramic shape, and within one to two weeks a coat of real chia sprouts fills in to complete the design, whether that is a familiar face, a favorite character, or a simple animal shape. All it takes is water, the included seed packet, and a sunny spot indoors.
This guide covers ten of the highest rated chia pet plants available right now, pulled from thousands of customer reviews across pop culture figures, holiday themes, and simple animal designs. If you already keep a garden going year round, our guide to hummingbird feeders for your garden is a good next stop for bringing more life into the same space.
01: BEST OVERALL PICK
Bob Ross Planter
The original Chia Pet formula brings the Joy of Painting to your windowsill, with a terra cotta bust of Bob Ross that sprouts a full head of green hair in place of his signature curls. It is the top selling design in the entire Chia Pet lineup and a reliable starter pick for anyone new to growing one. Sprinkle the seed mixture onto the dampened terra cotta ridges, mist daily, and watch a full afro fill in within about two weeks.
Pros
- ✓Over 10,000 positive customer reviews
- ✓Signature afro hairstyle grown from real chia sprouts
- ✓Reusable pottery planter for repeat plantings
- ✓Ships complete with seed packet and full instructions
Cons
- ✗Full sprout coverage takes about one to two weeks
- ✗Needs daily misting while seeds are germinating
02: BEST FOR STAR WARS FANS
Star Wars Yoda Planter
This Star Wars planter recreates Yoda’s bust in fine ceramic detail, with chia sprouts standing in for the tufts of hair around his ears and head. Fans of the franchise will recognize every wrinkle and expression captured in the sculpt. It ships with a seed packet so first time growers can get started right away.
Pros
- ✓Detailed ceramic bust sculpted in Yoda’s likeness
- ✓Over 5,000 reviews with a 4.6 star average
- ✓Chia sprouts fill in as his signature hair
- ✓Includes a seed packet for multiple plantings
Cons
- ✗Frequently sells out, so ordering early is smart
- ✗Delicate ceramic ears can chip if dropped
03: BEST FOR BABY YODA FANS
Star Wars The Child Planter
Better known as Baby Yoda, Grogu appears here resting inside his floating pram from The Mandalorian, with chia sprouts growing over the basket edge like a soft blanket. The handmade pottery planter captures his expression in fine detail. It is a popular pick for fans who want a display piece that also grows.
Pros
- ✓Recreates Grogu resting in his floating pram
- ✓Handmade decorative pottery planter
- ✓Over 4,000 reviews with a 4.6 star average
- ✓Chia growth mimics a soft green blanket over the pram
Cons
- ✗Hand wash only, not dishwasher safe
- ✗Heavier than most Chia Pet planters at over 15 ounces
04: BEST FOR TV AND CARTOON FANS
The Simpsons Homer Planter
Homer Simpson gets the Chia Pet treatment in this Amazon’s Choice planter, sprouting a thick green afro where his few remaining hairs would be. It leans into the humor of the source material while still functioning as a real growing planter. Homer stands upright on his own base, so no separate stand is needed.
Pros
- ✓Amazon’s Choice with over 6,500 reviews
- ✓Homer’s hair sprouts into a full green afro
- ✓Over 600 bought in the past month
- ✓Classic yellow Simpsons figure design
Cons
- ✗Chia growth covers much of the face once fully grown
- ✗Seed packet only supports one or two plantings
05: BEST NOVELTY POLITICAL GIFT
Donald Trump Planter
This Freedom of Choice edition recreates Donald Trump’s bust in terra cotta, with chia sprouts filling in his signature hairstyle. It ships with a seed packet and full growing instructions, just like the rest of the Chia Pet lineup. It works well as a lighthearted gift for anyone who follows politics closely.
Pros
- ✓Bold Freedom of Choice branding on the base
- ✓Terra cotta bust with a recognizable hairstyle
- ✓Over 3,800 reviews with a 4.5 star average
- ✓Lightweight and easy to display indoors
Cons
- ✗A polarizing design that will not suit every recipient
- ✗Text on the base can fade with frequent watering
Looking for more seasonal novelty projects before the weather turns? Our roundup of pumpkin painting ideas covers another quick, low mess project the whole family can join in on.
06: BEST FOR MOVIE MONSTER FANS
Godzilla Planter
Godzilla towers over the rest of this list in scale, with chia sprouts recreating the ridges along his back as he grows. The sculpt captures his classic film silhouette and stands on its own without extra support. It is offered in a few sizes, so buyers can choose how much shelf space they want to dedicate to him.
Pros
- ✓Amazon’s Choice pick with over 1,900 reviews
- ✓Chia sprouts recreate his signature dorsal spikes
- ✓Available in multiple sizes
- ✓Over 200 bought in the past month
Cons
- ✗Larger sizes take longer to reach full coverage
- ✗Replacement seed packs are sold separately
07: BEST FOR HALLOWEEN DECOR
Michael Myers Planter
Horror fans will recognize the pale mask from Halloween II right away, with chia sprouts growing in to frame it in green. The planter leans into the character’s stillness, standing quietly on a shelf until the sprouts fill in. It is a seasonal favorite that shows up on plenty of Halloween mantels every October.
Pros
- ✓Based on the Halloween II mask design
- ✓4.6 star average across nearly 2,000 reviews
- ✓Chia hair grows in against the pale mask for contrast
- ✓Handmade pottery construction
Cons
- ✗A seasonal look that some may only display in October
- ✗Mask detail becomes less visible once sprouts fill in
08: BEST FOR ADULT ANIMATION FANS
Rick and Morty Planter
Rick Sanchez brings his signature scowl to this planter, with chia sprouts standing in for his wild blue hair. The corded design gives it a slightly different silhouette from the classic bust style seen elsewhere on this list. It is a fitting desk companion for fans of the animated series.
Pros
- ✓Captures Rick’s wild signature expression
- ✓Amazon’s Choice with a 4.4 star average
- ✓Compact corded planter fits easily on a desk
- ✓A fun conversation piece for fans of the show
Cons
- ✗Fewer total reviews than other licensed designs
- ✗Chia growth can look uneven if seeds are not spread evenly
09: BEST FARM ANIMAL DESIGN
Llama Planter
This llama design swaps out licensed characters for a simple farm animal shape, letting chia sprouts fill in as a full wooly coat along its back. Its neutral look fits comfortably in a kitchen, office, or kids room without leaning on any particular franchise. It is one of the easier shapes on this list to keep evenly covered.
Pros
- ✓Sprouts fill in as a full wooly coat
- ✓Over 1,000 reviews with a 4.5 star average
- ✓A neutral design that fits any room or desk
- ✓Simple four legged terra cotta shape
Cons
- ✗Fewer seed refill options than licensed character kits
- ✗Its longer body needs more seed mixture for full coverage
10: BEST FOR TECH AND FINANCE FANS
Bitcoin Planter
Built around a stack of gold coins, this planter lets chia sprouts grow up and over the top like a leafy crown on a coin design. It is a playful nod to cryptocurrency culture that still functions as a real growing kit with a seed packet included. It makes a fun gag gift for anyone glued to the markets.
Pros
- ✓Gold coin design topped with a leafy chia crown
- ✓Amazon’s Choice with over 500 reviews
- ✓Listed by the brand as low maintenance
- ✓A fun gift for crypto and finance fans
Cons
- ✗Novelty appeal may not suit traditional gardeners
- ✗Smaller reviewer base than the classic Chia Pet designs
Final Thoughts
Chia pet plants work well as gifts specifically because they ask so little of the person receiving them. There is no potting soil to buy, no plant food schedule to track, and no risk of overwatering the way you might with a real houseplant. All the growing happens inside a seed packet already included in the box.
If you are setting up a small home routine around easy care projects like this, it is worth pairing chia pet plants with other low effort home upkeep, the same way our guide to pool water testing kits breaks down a simple weekly routine for pool owners.
Once your chia pet plants fill in, the display lasts for weeks before it needs replanting from a fresh seed packet. Pick the design that matches the fan on your list, whether that is a movie buff, a cartoon lover, or someone who just wants a bit of green on their desk, and check out our lawn aeration guide next time you are ready to tackle a bigger outdoor project.
