Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop

Learn the ancient Japanese art of Ikebana



1 hour

Class size 1 to 6 (public classes), 8 to 20
  $115 (Afterpay available)

Ikebana is one of Japan's three classical arts of refinement — a practice of intention, space and beauty that transforms the way you see flowers.
Chris Saban, creative director of Merchant & Green, brings 28 years of professional floristry experience to this workshop — including firsthand study of Ikebana in Kyoto and Osaka. Trained at the National Art School in Sydney, Chris approaches Ikebana through the lens of a working florist and visual artist — with a genuine appreciation for its principles of line, form and space.
In this one-hour workshop, Chris will guide you through the fundamentals of Ikebana using fresh seasonal blooms — showing you how to create a composition that is minimal, considered, and genuinely beautiful.
No experience needed.
What You'll Learn
* The principles of line, form and space that define Ikebana
* How to use a kenzan (flower holder) to position and secure stems
* How to select and combine seasonal blooms for visual harmony
* How to recreate Ikebana arrangements at home
The Experience
Merchant & Green is a working florist and plant studio — not a craft classroom. You'll work inside our light-filled Redfern space, surrounded by fresh flowers and premium plants, guided by a florist and visual artist with nearly three decades of professional experience.
Perfect for
* Individuals seeking a meditative creative experience
* Couples and date nights
* Friends and birthday celebrations
* Hens parties
* Corporate team experiences — private bookings from 8–20 guests in our studio or at your CBD location
No experience needed. All skill levels welcome. This workshop is designed for adults.
Class Details
* Duration: 1 hour
* Price: $115pp
* Small groups — maximum 6 guests for personalised attention
* Available Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays
* Location: 686 Bourke Street, Redfern
* All flowers, tools and herbal tea included
Free to reschedule with 3 days notice. No cancellations. A $30pp rebooking fee applies to late cancellations and no-shows.

Upcoming dates for Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop

Times are Sydney time. Dates and prices as of 3 Oct 2026, 9:10pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

4 upcoming dates between 11 Oct 2026 and 29 Jan 2027.

  • Sun 11 Oct 2026, 10:30am-11:30am
  • Fri 6 Nov 2026, 2:30pm-3:30pm
  • Fri 4 Dec 2026, 2:30pm-3:30pm
  • Fri 29 Jan 2027, 2:30pm-3:30pm
What you'll get
1-hour class with personal instruction from Chris Saban
Fresh seasonal blooms carefully selected for your arrangement
What's Included
* 1-hour class with personal instruction from Chris Saban
* Fresh seasonal blooms carefully selected for your arrangement
* Complimentary herbal tea on arrival
* All tools and equipment provided
* Individual guidance throughout the session
Everything provided — just arrive and create.
Optional Add-Ons (available at checkout):
* Ikebana bowl 15cm — from $22
* Kenzan flower holder — from $26
* Flower scissors — from $20
Read more details   
Knowledge required
No prior knowledge is required – this class is perfect for beginners looking to explore the art of flower arranging.
What to bring
What to Bring
Nothing — all flowers, tools and equipment are provided. Just arrive ready to create.
You'll arrange your Ikebana in a practice vase during the session. If you'd like to continue practising at home, an Ikebana bowl and kenzan are available to purchase on the day — or add them at checkout when you book.
Add-ons available for this class
  • Scissors ($20)
  • Ikebana Bowl 15cm ($24)
  • Ginger Beer ($5)
  • Lemonade ($5)
  • Lemon Lime Bitters ($5)
  • Ikebana Flower Holder 7cm ($39)
You can add these when you book (optional).
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hens party.

This experience would also be a fun gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.


FAQ

Where can I do an Ikebana workshop in Sydney?
Merchant & Green at 686 Bourke Street, Redfern offers one of Sydney's most authentic Ikebana workshops, running regularly on Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays. Led by Chris Saban and his expert floristry team — with firsthand study of Ikebana in Kyoto and Osaka informing every class — the one-hour workshop guides complete beginners through the fundamentals of Japanese flower arranging using fresh seasonal blooms. With 989 five-star reviews across their workshop program, Merchant & Green is widely regarded as Sydney's most trusted botanical workshop studio. Public classes accommodate up to 6 guests, with private bookings available for groups of 8–20.
What is Ikebana and what will I learn in a workshop?
Ikebana — known in Japan as one of the three classical arts of refinement — is the Japanese practice of flower arranging based on principles of line, form, space and intention. Unlike Western floristry which focuses on abundance, Ikebana is about deliberate, minimal compositions where every stem, branch and void plays a role. In a beginner Ikebana workshop at Merchant & Green in Redfern, students learn the core principles of line, form and space, how to use a kenzan (flower holder) to secure stems, how to select and combine seasonal blooms for visual harmony, and how to recreate arrangements at home. No prior experience is needed — the fundamentals are accessible to complete beginners.
How long does an Ikebana workshop take and what's included?
Ikebana workshops at Merchant & Green in Redfern run for one hour. The session covers the full technique — from understanding Ikebana's principles of line, form and space through to creating a finished arrangement using fresh seasonal blooms. All materials, tools and expert floristry guidance are included, along with a complimentary herbal tea on arrival. Optional add-ons including an Ikebana bowl, kenzan flower holder and scissors are available to purchase on the day for students who want to continue practising at home. Classes run Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays at $115pp.
Location

686 Bourke Street, Redfern NSW

Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop

  • 5/5 from Eva Huang, attended Aug 2026: Chris was very nice, and the ladies I met during the workshop was so lovely. At the end of the workshop, Frankie helped us wrap our flowers up to take home. I think I might go ahead and buy a vase and the kenzan.
  • 5/5 from Tania, attended Nov 2025: Chris and William were so welcoming and generous with their time and skills. It was a beautiful class in a beautiful setting! Such a lovely way to start a hens party!!
  • 5/5 from Jacki Williamson, attended Jul 2025: We had a fantastic time. Very informative fun class, Chris is a great teacher.
  • 5/5 from Paige Pembrook, attended Jun 2025: The instruction is fantastic and the results are beautiful!
  • 5/5 from Serina Stretton, attended May 2025: Great atmosphere, relaxed and inspiring
  • 5/5 from Xin Gao, attended Jan 2025: Today’s class was one on one with Chris. I have to say he is the best teacher so far knowing how to interact with students and encourage them to experiment. I just loved todays class and many thanks to Chris
Your teacher

Christopher Saban
Christopher Saban
(Merchant & Green)

Florists and Stylists

5.0 (993)

Led by Christopher Saban, creative director of Merchant & Green — a boutique florist, plant store and botanical workshop studio at 686 Bourke Street, Redfern.
We offer a curated suite of workshops covering Greenhouse and Succulent Terrarium making, Kokedama, Ikebana flower arranging, Wildflower arranging, Bonsai for Beginners, and our Australian Botanical Christmas Wreath workshop. Public classes run regularly on weekends and Friday afternoons, with private and corporate bookings available for groups of 6 to 100 guests — in our Redfern studio or at your Sydney CBD location.
With nearly a decade of teaching and a 5.0 rating from over 989 verified reviews, Merchant & Green is widely regarded as Sydney's most trusted botanical workshop studio.

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