Commercial Chia seed comes from a tropical sage (Salvia hispanica), native from southern Mexico to northern South America. Before it became famous as a novelty, it was and is still is used as a nutritious seed crop in parts of Latin America. It can be grown as an annual in temperate gardens but it needs a long season to come into flower and fruit. When I have grown it, I didn't get flowers until the end of October. The flowers are blue and fairly attractive. Still, there are many other Salvia with greater ornamental appeal.
In California, and other parts of the arid southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, there is a second sage known as Chia (Salvia columbariae) It is an annual of smaller stature that also produces an edible seed crop, though the yield is less.
However, as an ornamental garden subject, Salvia columbariae would be the preferred choice, for its vivid blue corollas and contrasting deep red calyces are truly striking.
