The best green wood stains – tested!

If you are looking for the perfect green wood stain color for your DIY furniture project, here are the 4 biggest options on the market tested on 3 types of wood each!

One of the most fun ways to customize a wood project is with stain. You can totally transform the aesthetic of a piece with different colors.

Stains come in tons of natural colors – light browns, dark browns, even grays – but they come in fun, bold colors, too.

I’ve been on a bit of a green kick lately, so it only made sense to test out some green wood stains to pick one perfect for our next project.

Today I am rounding up the 4 different green stains in our arsenal so you can see how they each look on 3 species of wood!

The best green wood stains

The 4 green wood stains that we are sharing are:

• Varathane Rustic Sage
• Rubio Monocoat Velvet Green
• Minwax Express Color Emerald
• SamaN wood stain Emerald

We are sharing these because they are all slightly different and all great in their own ways.

The main difference that you will notice between them in color. There are so many shades of green – each of these shades covers a slightly different shade.

However, there is also a difference in opacity or coverage. Some are more transparent while others, more translucent.

Which is best for you completely depends on the finished look that you are going for!

We tested each of these wood stains on 3 different types of woods so you can see how it might look on your project:

• Poplar
• Pine (plywood)
• Standard 2×4

Click here to read about how we tested ten different wood stains on 5 species of wood each!

Varathane Rustic Sage

Sometimes you want to add a hint of green to a project without it feeling overwhelming. I love this Sage shade for that option.

The tone is definitely green – but it is not bright or overwhelming in any way.

This is a traditional Varathane water based stain, so it is easy to apply and work with.

You might notice that the stain is super watery when you open the can. It needs to be stirred well before using. It should be thick and milky green when you apply it!

I love this shade as a neutral light green option that lets the natural wood tones shine through!

Click here to purchase Varathane Rustic Sage!

Rubio Monocoat Emerald

On the opposite end of the spectrum is this oil based stain by Rubio.

It has fantastic coverage, though as an oil based stain it is a bit more full coverage and covers more of the wood grain underneath. Kind of like somewhere between a paint and a stain. Depending on your project, that could be perfect!

The color velvet green really turned to be more of a teal – a gorgeous teal, but it does have a good bit of blue to it!

It is deep and rich and went on super easily, without any splotchiness. I love this stain!

Click here to purchase Rubio Monocoat Velvet Green!

Minwax Express Color – Emerald

For more of a darker, true green stain, Try Minwax Emerald. It’s a true emerald green and this color express version is easy to apply.

The color is dark without fully covering the grain, making it a great option if you want green wood that still looks like wood.

I love that it is water based – that means low to no odor and easy soap and water clean up.

While the tube is convenient, it does mean that you can’t easily put excess back, so be sure to only squeeze out a bit at a time, spread with your brush or cloth, and then get more if you need it.

Click here to purchase Minwax Express Color Emerald!

SamaN Wood Stain – Emerald

The final green stain that I use is by SamaN wood stains, also in the color Emerald. However, this shade of emerald is much darker and more jewel toned.

I really love the color, and that this stain is water based for easy application and clean up.

I did have a bit of issue with splotching on my samples – it’s important to add the paint to your brush, not your wood, and spreading quickly to avoid pooling.

The bottle also says no wood conditioner needed, but personally I would use a wood conditioner for a more even application of this dark stain on light or soft woods.

Click here to purchase SamaN wood stain Emerald!

Green stain vs. Green paint

What is the difference between green stain and green paint?

Green paint is totally opaque and covers the wood underneath completely.

Green stain will be transparent enough to let the wood grain show through. How transparent it is depends on the stain that you choose and how much stain you apply.

How do you stain wood green?

Green wood stain is really easy to apply!

It’s important to start with clean, sanded wood. Wood straight from the store can have a slight coating on it, so be sure to lightly sand to expose the fresh wood underneath.

You may then apply a wood conditioner if you want to help the stain absorb more evenly.

Wood conditioner is less important with light wood stains compared to dark wood stains, which look splotchy more easily.

Then, apply the stain. I like to use a lint-free cloth and apply in the direction of the wood grain.

Let sit for five minutes or more and then use a clean cloth to wipe off any excess. Don’t forget to check the sides for drips!

New to using wood stain? Grab our complete guidebook – it covers everything you need to know to get the perfect finish!