Do you think avocado green belongs back in the 1960s and 70s? Think again! It all depends on how you use it and what colours you use it with. This warm natural green has an earthy and organic feel that makes it ideal for home decorating, branding and anywhere that calls for a nature-inspired colour palette. Explore modern ways to combine avocado green with other colours with our inspirational mood boards and discover why avocado green is making a comeback.
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What do we mean by avocado green?
Avocado green is a warm, medium yellow-green shade. It’s named for the colour of the fresh avocados. There are many different shades of green in an avocado, depending on whether you are looking at the bright green outside skin of a Hass avocado on the tree, or the creamy paler green flesh in the centre of the fruit.
The shade of avocado green we are looking at is most like the colour of the outermost flesh of a cut avocado, or the skin of a ripe fruit. It has the following colour codes:
- Hex code #568203
- RGB 86, 130, 3
- CMYK 34, 0, 98, 49
What does avocado green symbolise?
The warmth of avocado green gives it an earthy, organic feel. It’s symbolic of growth and vitality, but with a sense of grounding. Like other shades of green. avocado green also represents energy, positivity, optimism and growth.
Avocado green is ideal for creating brand colours for businesses in wellness, organic and eco-friendly products and services, and organic foods.
In home decorating, avocado green works beautifully with other natural and earthy shades to create calm and tranquil spaces. Of course, avocado green is also perfectly at home in vibrant retro-themed colour palettes that embrace the late 1960’s and 70’s. (Although I’m not sure I could go as far as the avocado green fridge or kitchen appliances!)
Colours that go with avocado green
In a similar way to other yellow green shades, avocado will work well in a monochromatic palette with other shades of green like olive green or bright lime green (analogous shades). The natural warmth of avocado also pairs well with neutral creamy whites and greys as well as earthy browns and timber shades.
Colour drenching with avocado green can be a little intense, so try it as an accent colour instead for a more sophisticated palette. Combine avocado green with light neutrals and add a third analogous colour (next to it on the colour wheel) or complementary colour (opposite on the colour wheel).
Use our mood boards to explore ideas for using avocado green with other colour combinations to create palettes ranging from calm and earthy to vibrant and fun.
Avocado green and whites
White is an ideal neutral to combine with warm avocado green, but different shades of white will have different effects. Crisp white will tone down the warmth of avocado, while creamy whites and off white tones will work well as part of an warm, earthy palette.
Using avocado green and whites together makes a perfect base for a colour palette using another compatible shade. Avocado green and warm whites or ivory white make a lovely combination for wedding colour scheme, or putting together an outfit for your wardrobe.
I love this combination in home decorating, especially avocado accents in inviting living spaces with warm whites and timber. Try setting your dining table with avocado green and white in a print, like in these gorgeous avocado green floral print napkins.
Avocado green and blue
Nature-inspired blues and greens can work together well in compatible tones. Avocado green goes very well with mid to deep azure shades, which are part of a triad colour scheme on the colour wheel. This compatibility extends to avocado green and navy blue too, which look sophisticated together in a outfit or design. My favourite way to use avocado green in an outfit is with white and navy, with warm tan accessories.
If you are drawn to lighter blues, choose shades like dusty blue and sky blue which will contrast well with the warmth of avocado green.
Avocado green and pinks
Using avocado green and pinks together is my favourite way to use this shade. Bright vibrant pinks go with avocado as they are part of a triad colour scheme and create a beautiful contrast. This can be perfect for a bright event colour scheme or an outfit that pops.
I personally prefer to use softer dusty pinks and blush with avocado for a softer, calmer combination, especially in decorating tranquil spaces at home. It’s also my favourite combination for wedding colour schemes using avocado green, as these two colours combine beautifully with white or ivory.
Avocado green and Yellow
The yellow undertones in avocado green mean it will work with different shades of yellow. The 1960’s and 70’s combined avocado green with “Harvest Gold”, a deep yellow or marigold shade. While the these colours do work together well, there are more modern ways to use them. Try them in a modern print, or with loads of light neutrals to soften.
Pick up the warmth of avocado green in home decorating by combining it with brass and gold coloured metallic fixtures and fittings.
Avocado green and orange
Matching avocado green with deep orange shades like burnt orange and tangerine is another classic 1970’s colour pairing. Again, break this colour combination up with lots of light neutrals to soften and for less of that retro feel.
For a modern take, try avocado green with softer, pink orange shades like apricot and soft peach. Softer shades of orange can look beautiful in prints and patterns with avocado.
Avocado green and red
Bright poppy red, watermelon and avocado green can also give retro vibes, but can be a stunning combination if used in more modern palettes. I like to add in lots of light neutrals like whites, creams or light grey shades. This also helps to avoid the inevitable festive red and green feel.
When using colour theory, brownish reds and mahogany shades are part of a triad colour scheme with avocado green and will work together well.
Avocado green and purple
Bright violet and plum shades are directly opposite yellow-greens like avocado on the colour wheel, making them the ideal complimentary colours. The contrast works well in colour theory, but this combination can be very vibrant and overwhelming. Two ways to overcome this are to use purple just as an accent colour with avocado green and loads of white or light neutral. Or swap the bright purple for paler shades like a soft grape colour.
Or just embrace the brightness and use avocado green and purple for a fun party or event colour scheme.
Avocado green and brown
As an earthy, organic shade with brownish undertones, avocado green is a natural match for earthy browns. Warm tans and copper browns will work in the same way as orange does, and they are part of a square colour scheme on the colour wheel. Or pair avocado green with a deeper warm chocolate or timber brown shades for a moody palette.
Avocado green and grey
Grey (gray) is a great neutral to use with avocado green. I prefer to use it with medium to light grey shades, or even metallic silver. Avocado has some grey undertones which make this combination work well.
Avocado green will also work well with dark charcoal greys, but this can be quite dark and broody. Limit the dark charcoal to accents and highlights in a palette using avocado green and another light compatible shade, or add plenty of light neutrals for a softer look.
More shades of green
If you love earthy, organic greens like avocado with a touch of warmth, then you might also like shades like moss green and olive green. Of for more fruit inspired greens, explore shades like pear green, apple green, fresh kiwi green and vibrant lime green.
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