Place your flower vase on a stable, balanced surface where it can be fully appreciated, such as an entryway table, dining table, or. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which can shorten the life of your flowers and may damage vases made of bamboo or metal.

Unlike Western-style floral arrangements, ikebana floral displays have a defined front and back. Choose a spot where the front is visible, such as against a wall or a tokonoma, an alcove in traditional Japanese interiors, so the arrangement can be viewed as intended.

Avoid overcrowding your flower vase with too many flowers and greenery. A single seasonal stem or a minimalist arrangement can create a stronger impression at times, much like the simple displays seen in Japanese tea rooms.

In ikebana, this principle also applies. Rather than filling the flower frog (kenzan), leave space between each element to highlight form, movement, and negative space.

Experiment with different stem lengths to create visual balance. It’s not just flowers. Branches and foliage can also be used to form tall focal points and shorter accents, adding depth and character to the composition.

In ikebana, when using a standard flower vase, the tallest or longest element should be about one and a half to two times the height of the vase. For a flower vase with a kenzan, use the width instead. The tallest element should be approximately one and a half to two times the width of the vase.