Chia (Salvia columbariae) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,290 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Chia: observations by month (U.S.)
About Chia
Salvia columbariae is an annual plant that is commonly called chia, chia sage, golden chia, or desert chia, because its seeds are used in the same manner as Salvia hispanica (chia). It grows in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Baja California, and was an important food for Native Americans. Some native names include pashí from Tongva and it'epeš from Ventureño.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Chia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,106 | March | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 121 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Nevada | 59 | April | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
American germander
Vinegar Weed
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Chia?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Chia most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.