To develop new wood preservatives, inhibition effects of rutin and its metal complexes（rutin-copper, rutin-zinc, rutin-manganese and rutin-magnesium） on brown-rot fungi（Gloephyllum trabeum） and white decay fungi（Coriolus versicolor） were studied using the growth rate method. Results indicated that rutin and its metal complexes had inhibition effects on the two decay fungi and that the antifungal activity increased with increased concentration. Rutin, rutin-copper and rutin-zinc could basically restrain growth of the two decay fungi at 6.66 mg/mL of concentration while rutin-manganese and rutin-magnesium substantially inhibited growth of the two decay fungi at 9.99 mg/mL of concentration. Rutin, rutin-copper and rutin-zinc could be used for preparing environmentally-friendly wood preservatives in the future.