FAQ

General

What is banabox?
Banabox sends you everything you need to create a beautiful, Japanese-style flower arrangement at home
Who is behind banabox?
We are a Miami-based startup and our founder has years of experience creating ikebana arrangements in the US and Japan. You can read more on the About Us page
What is included?
You'll receive an ikebana starter kit with a vase and other ikebana tools, along with fresh flowers to create a unique arrangement
How will I know how to make the arrangement?
Your banabox comes with step-by-step written instructions and a how-to video on our website
Where do you get your flowers?
We source flowers and other material from all over the world: Japan, Holland, Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya and California are just some of the locations where our farmers grow flowers
How do you make sure flowers arrive fresh?
We are plugged into a 'cold chain' that keeps the flowers refrigerated from the moment they're picked on the farm to when we hand your box off to Fedex for overnight shipping
Where do you ship?
We will send a box anywhere in the United States except Alaska and Hawaii - apologies to our family and friends there :-)
How do you ship?
We send all our fresh flowers via Fedex Standard Overnight delivery
Do I need to sign for the delivery?
No you do not. However, if your delivery is left outside in extreme heat or cold it may damage the flowers, so you should attempt to bring your flowers indoors ASAP
How long will my arrangement last?
It depends on the type of flower, but most arrangements should last about 5-7+ days. Proper flower care can extend the life of your arrangement - see the 'Flower Care' section below
What do I do if my flowers arrive tired looking?
Flowers often 'go to sleep' during the journey to your house but can be quickly revived by snipping their stems and placing in water - see details in the 'Flower Care' section below
Tell me about the metal kenzan?
The metal kenzan is the traditional kenzan. It is made of brass needles and a lead base. Lead is used as the base because it is a heavy metal, and the weight helps to balance the arrangement.
Lead is not absorbed through the skin, nor can it move from water into skin. It enters the human body through ingestion or inhalation. Therefore handling lead is safe, however we recommend you take precautions such as: washing your hands after each use, especially before eating food; not allowing children to handle the kenzan; and not placing the kenzan in the dishwasher. 
When will I get my first banabox?
When you purchase your banabox you'll select your first delivery date. Our Spring boxes are delivered in March, Summer boxes in June, Autumn boxes in September and Winter boxes in December. We occasionally add additional delivery dates, in which case we will email you to check if you would like to receive your banabox earlier.
Can I get my banabox on a different day of the week?
To ensure flowers are at their freshest, we always pack our boxes on Wednesday and ship them overnight to arrive Thursday...unfortunately that is the only option
Do you offer refunds?
If you cannot revive your flowers using the methods described, we will offer to replace or credit your purchase when appropriate

Flower Care

Do I need to do anything immediately when my box arrives?
Yes! Your flowers may need to be refreshed after the long journey. As soon as your box arrives, you should snip an inch from the base of each stem and place into a bucket of water
What should I do with the flower food?
We give you two packets of flower food. You can use one if your flowers need to rehydrate and have another to mix with the water for your arrangement
What else can I do to extend the life of my arrangement?
You should add water as needed to ensure that flowers remain hydrated. Additionally, it helps to change out the water completely if it becomes cloudy