The name given to specific shades of colors can vary greatly depending on context. When it comes to greyish greens, there are a few common terms used to describe these muted hues. In this article, we’ll explore the origins and meanings behind some of the most popular names for shades of greyish green.
Common Names for Greyish Greens
Here are some of the most widely used names for shades of green that contain a good amount of grey:
Sage
One of the most common names for a greyish green is “sage.” This refers to the herb sage, which has soft grey-green leaves. Sage green has more grey than yellow in its undertones. It’s a natural, earthy color that can work in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Olivine
Olivine is a mineral that is found in nature in a greyish green shade. As a color name, olivine refers to a green with subtle grey tones. It’s often described as a pale olive shade. Olivine is found in everything from jewelry to home furnishings.
Celadon
Celadon refers to a pale, cool greyish green that gets its name from the glaze color of ancient Chinese celadon pottery. Celadon green evokes tranquility and sophistication. It’s commonly used in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms.
Seafoam
Seafoam describes a soft, pale greenish gray, inspired by the color of sea foam on the ocean’s surface. It’s a calming, relaxing color that works well in coastal inspired spaces. Seafoam can range from a pale icy blue-green to a light minty shade.
Silvergreen
As its name suggests, silvergreen is a mix of gray and green that takes on an almost metallic silver sheen. It’s a cool, sophisticated color that adds a contemporary twist to traditional green shades. Silvergreen works nicely in modern interior spaces.
Duck Egg
Duck egg refers to a pale blue-green color inspired by the eggs of certain duck breeds. It’s considered a spring-like shade. Duck egg blue is similar but contains more blue rather than grey undertones. The term duck egg green is sometimes used interchangeably with celadon.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a greenish-gray that takes its name from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. It has subtle blue undertones that give it a cool, tranquil vibe. Eucalyptus green is widely used in spas, bedrooms, and meditation spaces.
Selaginella
Selaginella is a specific plant genus that contains a number of species featuring greyish green foliage. As a color name, it refers to the soft blue-gray green shade of these plants’ leaves. Selaginella works well in bathrooms, bedrooms, and accent walls.
Pistachio
The pale green nut of the pistachio plant lends its name to a muted greyish green shade. Pistachio green has earthy yellow tones that give it a natural, relaxing feel. It’s a versatile color that works in traditional, modern, and eclectic spaces.
Verdigris
Verdigris describes the patina that copper acquires as it oxidizes and weathers over time. The resulting blue-green color inspired the name of this cool, subtle grayish green shade. Verdigris is commonly seen in artisan jewelry and decorative accessories.
Laurel
The waxy leaves of the laurel plant have an olive-gray green hue that produces the color name laurel green. It’s an elegant, neutral green that works particularly well in traditional interior designs and academic settings.
Willow
The hanging branches of willow trees produce slender greenish gray leaves, resulting in the muted, earthy tone willow green. It’s a relaxing color that evokes feelings of tranquility. Willow green is popular in bedrooms, spas, and natural settings.
Greens with Grey Undertones in Different Color Systems
Greyish greens appear across many different color naming systems and standards. Here are some specific shades defined in popular color models:
RGB Color Model
The RGB or red, green, blue color model is used for onscreen display such as computer monitors and televisions. It represents colors by mixing levels of red, green, and blue light. Some RGB greyish greens include:
- RGB(189,226,170) – A soft celadon or seafoam shade
- RGB(163,190,140) – A pale duck egg blue-green
- RGB(136,176,75) – A muted pistachio tone
HEX Color Codes
HEX codes use hexadecimal numbers to denote mixtures of red, green, and blue. Some examples of greyish greens in HEX include:
- #BDE2AA – A light green with subtle grey
- #A3BE8C – A mid-tone greyish olive shade
- #88B04B – A dull muted pistachio
Pantone Colors
The Pantone Matching System is popular for design and printing applications. Some Pantone greyish greens are:
- PANTONE 13-0310 TPX – Classic olive green
- PANTONE 16-0215 TPX – Cool seafoam hue
- PANTONE 17-5641 TCX – Deep muted celadon
CMYK Model
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) is used in print design and ink formulation. It mixes levels of these four inks. Examples of CMYK greyish greens:
- 40C, 18M, 45Y, 7K – A soft blue-gray tone
- 58C, 25M, 55Y, 37K – Deeper grayish pistachio
- 82C, 24M, 100Y, 9K – Olive green with grey
HSL and HSV
These two color models define hues using hue, saturation, and lightness/value. Some greyish greens in HSL/HSV:
- HSV(81°, 24%, 75%) – Pale green with low saturation
- HSL(92°, 14%, 61%) – Mid-tone grayish green hue
- HSV(120°, 13%, 80%) – Softer celadon tone
Greens with Grey Undertones in Culture
Greyish greens appear symbolically across many different cultures and artistic traditions. Here are some of the notable associations and meanings tied to these colors.
Nature
Muted greens with grey naturally occur in many plants and trees, linking them to themes of growth, renewal, and the tranquility of nature. They evoke forest mosses, soft ferns, weathered tree bark, and natural stones.
Healing
In color therapy, greyish greens are considered therapeutic. They promote stability and calmness. Greens symbolize renewal while greys represent balance. Together they create an ideal healing tone.
Wealth
In some cultures, greyish greens are associated with prosperity and wealth. Jade, which ranges from pale to darker green-grey shades, has this connotation in Chinese culture. Celadon glazes also signify success.
Wisdom
The grey hues in these greens can represent wisdom that comes with age and experience. Olive branches are a common symbol of peace and wisdom in Western culture.
Environmentalism
Muted natural greens tie into themes of environmentalism and conservation. They evoke the color of forests, wetlands, and mosses that environmentalists aim to protect and preserve.
Military and Camouflage
Greyish greens are commonly used in military and camouflage uniforms to blend into forest, jungle, and moorland environments. Shades like olive drab have become associated with the military.
History
In interior design and architecture, greyish greens are associated with traditional styles thanks to their use in historical spaces. For example, sage green evokes Victorian and colonial American design.
Coastal living
Soft seafoam greens conjure images of ocean waves and beach living. Coastal decor and products often utilize these greyed aqua tones to evoke relaxed seaside colors.
Complementary and Contrasting Colors
Greyish greens pair beautifully with certain shades while clashing with others. Understanding color theory helps select harmonious color schemes.
Complements
Greyish greens complement rich reddish-orange hues. These vibrant warm shades contrast nicely with the muted cool greens.
- Terracotta
- Coral
- Rust
- Copper
- Burnt orange
Triadic
Triadic colors located evenly around the color wheel also complement greyish greens nicely. These include bold purples and yellow-orange shades.
- Amethyst
- Eggplant
- Violet
- Mauve
- Ochre
Analogous
Analogous colors next to each other on the wheel, like other greens and blue-greens, blend seamlessly with greyish greens.
- Moss green
- Emerald
- Teal
- Turquoise
- Aqua
Contrasts
Shades like reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows noticeably contrast with muted greyish greens. They create bold, vivid combinations.
- Scarlet
- Crimson
- Magenta
- Amber
- Gold
Tones and Tints of Greyish Greens
Any color can be made lighter, darker, duller, or brighter by adjusting its saturation and lightness. Here are some examples of shade variations for greyish greens:
Tints: Mixing greyish greens with white creates softer, paler tints. These are used to evoke tranquility, youth, and relaxation.
- Celadon mist
- Seafoam white
- Willow snow
Tones: Adding grey produces darker, more muted greyish-green tones. These feel classic, subtle, and blend well as neutral shades.
- Forest pine
- Sage grotto
- Olive stone
Shades: Mixing in black creates rich, deeper shades. These can feel mysterious, earthy, and grounding.
- Jade night
- Spruce ink
- Forrest shadow
Bright: Boosting saturation makes greyish greens more vivid and energetic. Brighter variations promote renewal and growth.
- Chartreuse green
- Neon celadon
- Vibrant sage
Dull: Reducing saturation produces dull, muted greyish greens. These create a weathered, antique look.
- Faded spruce
- Dusted sage
- Misty seafoam
Uses of Greyish Greens
Thanks to their versatility, greyish greens are used in a wide range of applications spanning design, fashion, marketing, printing, manufacturing, and more.
Interior Design
- Paint – Popular wall color for bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms
- Textiles – Found in rugs, pillows, curtains, and upholstery
- Furniture – Used in sofas, armchairs, tables, and cabinets
- Kitchen and dining ware – Dishes, glassware, appliances
Landscaping
- Plants – Numerous trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers
- Hardscaping – Garden stones, pathways, fencing
- Structures – Gazebos, arbors, follies
Fashion and Textiles
- Clothing – Found across all types of apparel and accessories
- Carpeting – Widely used in residential and commercial spaces
- Bedding – Sheets, comforters, blankets
Visual Arts
- Painting – Popular artists’ pigment historically and today
- Photography – Often used by nature photographers
- Graphic design – Employed in logos, branding, marketing
Industrial Uses
- Packaging – Used across many types of consumer products
- Cars – Often found on vehicles as an attractive color
- Electronics – Applied to devices, appliances, phones, etc.
Psychology of Greyish Greens
Color psychology suggests greyish greens promote the following positive effects:
- Calming and relaxing
- Balance between stimulation and tranquility
- Feelings of stability and security
- Sense of protection, comfort, nurturing
- Helps relieve anxiety and depression
- Promotes healing and renewal
- Evokes feelings of health, growth, and vitality
- Environments appear more natural and organic
Too much greyish green may contribute to:
- Boredom if overused in space
- Stifling of creativity and productivity
- Making lively environments feel too subdued
Overall, pale to mid-tone greyish greens create peaceful yet stimulating spaces when used in moderation alongside other accent colors.
Conclusion
Greyish green is a highly versatile shade range that serves many functions across design and culture. It spans the spectrum from pale icy green-grays to deep rich earthy olive tones. Knowing the terminology, associations, color relationships, and psychological effects of these muted greens allows for informed, impactful use of them in any project or space. Whether creating a soothing bedroom, lively garden, or striking logo, greyish greens lend their natural elegance in innumerable ways.