chikorita
Generation II · #0152 — Leaf Pokémon
Chikorita is a Grass-type Pokémon that represents the beginning of many trainers' journeys through the Johto region. As National Pokédex entry #152, it stands alongside Cyndaquil and Totodile as one of the three starter Pokémon available at the beginning of Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. This gentle Pokémon has also been chosen as a starter option in more recent games, including Pokémon Legends: Z-A in Lumiose City, ensuring its legacy continues for new generations. With a base stat total of 318 distributed across its modest frame, Chikorita embodies the humble beginnings that characterize first partner Pokémon—weak in raw power but possessing the potential to grow into a formidable ally through dedicated training and evolution.
Base Stats
Height
0.9m
Weight
6.4kg
Category
Leaf Pokémon
Gender
Male 87.5% / Female 12.5%
Color
green
Shape
quadruped
Habitat
grassland
Abilities
Strengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Protects against major status ailments during strong sunlight.
Chikorita Biology & Physical Characteristics
Chikorita is a small, quadrupedal Pokémon characterized by its pale green body and disproportionately large head relative to its compact frame. Standing at just 0.9 meters tall and weighing a mere 6.4 kilograms, it presents a cute and approachable appearance emphasized by its large eyes with crimson irises. The most distinctive feature is the large, vibrant green leaf protruding from the crown of its head, flanked by dark green buds that encircle its neck like a delicate collar. Its short, stubby legs each terminate in a single white nail, and its small tail completes its endearing silhouette. The leaf atop Chikorita's head is far more than decorative; it serves multiple biological functions, primarily as a sensory organ that allows the Pokémon to detect temperature and humidity variations in its environment. This remarkable adaptation enables Chikorita to identify warm locations for basking and to understand atmospheric conditions, making the leaf a crucial survival tool for this sun-loving Pokémon.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Chikorita Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Chikorita exhibits a strong male bias in its gender distribution, with approximately 87.5 percent of all Chikorita being male while only 12.5 percent are female. This significant skew makes female Chikorita considerably rarer and more difficult to breed, particularly for trainers seeking to establish breeding chains or create competitive teams with specific gender requirements. Chikorita belongs to both the Monster and Grass egg groups, allowing it to breed with a diverse range of Pokémon partners and expanding the possibilities for creating offspring with desired moves and abilities. The base friendship value of 70 indicates that Chikorita forms bonds with trainers relatively easily, making it receptive to affection and more likely to obey commands even from new trainers. The egg cycle counter of 20 means that hatching Chikorita eggs requires approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps, placing it in the moderate range for breeding duration. For trainers interested in breeding Chikorita competitively or preserving the species, understanding these gender ratios and breeding mechanics is essential, as obtaining female specimens for breeding purposes requires patience and persistence.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
lum-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed to cure any status condition or confusion.
Cost: 80
lum-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed to cure any status condition or confusion.
Cost: 80
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
yellow
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm03
red blue
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
blue japan
tm03
red green japan
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
+523 more TMs/HMs
chikorita's Evolution Chain
Chikorita Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Chikorita is the first step in a three-stage evolutionary line that progresses through Bayleef and culminates in Meganium. At level 16, Chikorita evolves into Bayleef, a more robust Grass-type that begins to develop the floral characteristics that will fully bloom in its final form. When Bayleef reaches level 32, it undergoes its final evolution into Meganium, a majestic Grass-type Pokémon of considerably larger stature and enhanced capabilities. This evolutionary progression mirrors the maturation of a plant from seedling to full bloom, with each stage gaining increased stats across the board, particularly in Special Attack and Speed, transforming the initially fragile Chikorita into a competitive battler. The evolution line does not feature any Mega Evolution forms, keeping Chikorita and its evolutions distinct from the Mega Evolution mechanics introduced in later generations. The steady growth across all three stages provides trainers with a natural difficulty curve, allowing them to develop their starter Pokémon progressively as they advance through the Johto region and beyond.
Where to Find
new bark town
johto
+2 more
littleroot town
hoenn
hoenn route 101
hoenn
alola route 2
alola
Chikorita Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Chikorita is renowned for its docile and peaceful temperament, preferring to spend its days basking in warm sunlight rather than engaging in confrontation. According to Pokédex entries, a sweet and pleasant aroma wafts from the leaf on its head, which serves a dual purpose in battle—while it waves the leaf defensively to keep opponents at bay, the fragrance simultaneously creates a calming atmosphere that becalms battling Pokémon and fosters a curiously friendly environment even amid conflict. This gentle nature means Chikorita thrives in peaceful, sunlit environments where it can absorb solar energy and maintain its well-being. It shows a particular affinity for warm locations and displays a preference for habitats with consistent sunlight, making it most commonly found in grassy meadows and forest clearings throughout Johto. The pleasant aroma it naturally produces is not merely a quirk of biology but an integral part of its survival strategy, allowing it to de-escalate potential threats and navigate social interactions with other Pokémon and humans alike.
Pokedex Entries
A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up the sun's rays.
Its pleasantly aromatic leaves have the ability to check the hu midity and tem perature.
It loves to bask in the sunlight. It uses the leaf on its head to seek out warm places.
In battle, CHIKORITA waves its leaf around to keep the foe at bay. However, a sweet fragrance also wafts from the leaf, becalming the battling POKéMON and creating a cozy, friendly atmosphere all around.
It waves its leaf around to keep foes at bay. However, a sweet fragrance also wafts from the leaf, creating a friendly atmosphere that becalms the battlers.
Its pleasantly aromatic leaves have the ability to check the humidity and temperature.
A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up the sun’s rays.
It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe.
A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up sunrays.
Its pleasantly aromatic leaf has the ability to check humidity and temperature.
It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe.
It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe.
A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up sun rays.
It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe.
In battle, Chikorita waves its leaf around to keep the foe at bay. However, a sweet fragrance also wafts from the leaf, becalming the battling Pokémon and creating a cozy, friendly atmosphere all around.
In battle, Chikorita waves its leaf around to keep the foe at bay. However, a sweet fragrance also wafts from the leaf, becalming the battling Pokémon and creating a cozy, friendly atmosphere all around.
Chikorita Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Chikorita derives from a combination of "chicory," the leafy herbaceous plant known for its bitter taste and pale coloring, and "ta," a diminutive suffix suggesting smallness and youth. In Japanese, it is called "Chicorita," maintaining similar phonetic roots. The design itself draws inspiration from a sprouting seedling or young plant, with the prominent leaf on its head serving as the central motif that distinguishes it from other Grass-type starters. Visually, Chikorita evokes the appearance of a small herbivore or woodland creature, resembling concepts of newborn animals with its proportionally large head and gentle features. The color palette of pale green with dark green accents creates a soft, natural aesthetic that communicates its connection to plant life while maintaining visual appeal to players expecting a cute starter Pokémon. This thoughtful design communicates Chikorita's nature as both a plant and animal hybrid—it is fundamentally a Pokémon with flora characteristics rather than a mere animate plant, giving it personality and agency while honoring its Grass-type identity.
Learnable Moves
Chikorita can learn 76 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| aromatherapy | grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bullet seed | grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| detect | fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| echoed voice | normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| grass pledge | grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| grass whistle | grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 |
| grassy glide | grass | Physical | 55 | 100 | 20 |
| grassy terrain | grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| heal pulse | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| ingrain | grass | Status | — | — | 20 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| leaf storm | grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| leech seed | grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| magic coat | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| magical leaf | grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| poison powder | poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| razor leaf | grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| refresh | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| solar blade | grass | Physical | 125 | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| sweet scent | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| synthesis | grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trailblaze | grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| vine whip | grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| worry seed | grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| wring out | normal | Special | — | 100 | 5 |
Chikorita Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battles, Chikorita occupies a niche role primarily within beginner and casual formats, given its modest base stat total of 318 and unbalanced distribution that favors Defense and Special Defense (both 65) over its severely limited offensive capabilities. With Attack and Special Attack both sitting at only 49, coupled with a Speed stat of just 45, Chikorita struggles significantly in competitive play against more specialized Pokémon. However, its signature Ability Overgrow provides a mechanic for last-stand scenarios, increasing the power of Grass-type moves to 1.5 times their normal damage when Chikorita's health falls to one-third of its maximum capacity or below. The hidden Ability Leaf Guard offers environmental utility by protecting Chikorita from major status ailments during strong sunlight, making it viable in sun-based team compositions. Most competitively-minded trainers utilize Chikorita solely for the early game experience, quickly evolving it to Bayleef and later Meganium to access superior stat distributions and move pools. For players seeking competitively viable Grass-type starters, Chikorita's final evolution Meganium provides substantially better offensive and defensive options, though even that form faces significant competition from other Grass-type specialists in the metagame.
Commonly Asked Questions About Chikorita
What type is Chikorita?
Chikorita is a grass type Pokemon.
What does Chikorita evolve into?
Chikorita evolves into bayleef, then into meganium.
What are Chikorita's weaknesses?
Chikorita is weak to flying, poison, bug, fire and ice type moves.
Where can I find Chikorita?
Chikorita can be found in new bark town (johto), littleroot town (hoenn) and hoenn route 101 (hoenn) and 1 other locations.
Chikorita Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Chikorita holds a special place in Pokémon culture as one of the three iconic Johto starters, forever linked to the Generation II experience that expanded the franchise significantly. For countless trainers, Chikorita represents their first encounter with the Johto region through Gold, Silver, or Crystal versions, making it a nostalgic touchstone that defined their early Pokémon journey. The character Ash's Chikorita in the anime series became particularly memorable, developing a touching emotional bond with its trainer that showcased the species' gentle nature and capacity for deep affection. Chikorita appears in multiple anime storylines and manga adaptations, always portrayed with the kindness and docility that defines its species identity. The Pokémon has maintained consistent popularity through merchandise, trading card appearances, and spin-off games, though it occasionally plays second fiddle to the more aggressive starters Cyndaquil and Totodile in fan communities. Its distinct aesthetic—the gentle leaf crown, the sweet aroma, the sun-loving nature—has made it instantly recognizable and beloved among players who appreciate Pokémon design that emphasizes charm and biological authenticity over raw power. Chikorita continues to influence how trainers approach the franchise, representing the philosophy that meaningful gameplay experiences need not originate from competitive dominance.
Where to Find Chikorita in Every Pokémon Game
Chikorita can be obtained as a starter Pokémon in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, where it is one of the three initial choices available before beginning the Johto adventure. In more recent releases, Chikorita is available as a starter option in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, ensuring continued accessibility to newer generations of players. Beyond these main story routes, Chikorita has appeared in various special distributions and events throughout Pokémon history, allowing trainers who missed the initial games additional opportunities to obtain the species. In Pokémon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass content, Chikorita may be available through specific event distributions or game mechanics, depending on the player's region and timing. The Pokédex entry for Legends: Z-A as local number 0001 confirms Chikorita's status as a preferred beginner choice even in this upcoming generation, suggesting continued availability going forward. For trainers seeking Chikorita in older games, the base capture rate of 45 makes wild encounters reasonably feasible, though the species is typically only encountered after choosing a different starter. Pokémon HOME and other storage services now facilitate trading and transferring Chikorita across generations, making it more accessible than ever to players seeking to complete their National Pokédex or begin new playthroughs with this beloved starter Pokémon.