In the Yvelines, winter is harsh for citrus trees, and it changes from one corner to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −12 °C in Versailles and in the Seine and Mauldre valleys, −13 °C in the Chevreuse valley and −16 °C in the Houdan area.
We went through thirty winters of Météo-France records, from 1996 to 2026, and compared them with the hardiness of each of our plants. Choose your area below. You will find:
- the citrus trees that spend the winter outdoors without protection;
- those that need a fleece on frosty nights;
- those that stay in a pot.
The lists are kept up to date: only the plants available today are shown with a photo.
- −5 °C or milder
- −6 to −7 °C
- −8 to −9 °C
- −10 to −11 °C
- −12 to −13 °C
- −14 to −15 °C
- −16 to −17 °C
- −18 to −19 °C
- −20 °C and colder
Colour: the cold of one winter in ten, on the plain. Click on a neighbouring département to see its page. Map of the whole of France.
Choose your area:
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Versailles and the plateau
Versailles, Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, Vélizy-Villacoublay, Buc, Guyancourt, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Trappes, Toussus-le-Noble
See the citrus trees for this area
The Versailles plateau, on the edge of the Paris conurbation: −12 °C one winter in ten, −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Vélizy-Villacoublay only falls to −9.7 °C one winter in ten, Versailles to −12.7 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines with a fleece. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The silty, clay soil holds water in winter: plant on a mound.
Toussus-le-Noble
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils and soils over clay, waterlogged in winter. In practice, the soil is often clayey and silty.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −12 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Satsuma Owari FS
down to −12 °C · €42.00
See all 17 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 11 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Hana Yuzu, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −9 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma Miyagawa
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Shekwasha
down to −11 °C · €34.85
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Kinkoji
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 21 available plants that withstand −9 °C
Sold out for now: 20 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −9 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Seine and Mauldre valleys
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, Achères, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Les Mureaux, Mantes-la-Jolie, Maule
See the citrus trees for this area
The valleys hold the cold air at night: −12 °C one winter in ten and −9 °C in an ordinary winter. At Chapet, near Les Mureaux, −15.1 °C is even recorded one winter in ten. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines with a fleece. The other citrus trees stay in pots. Plant on the hillside rather than by the water; the soil, often chalky, calls for a mound if it is heavy.
Chapet
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils, river alluvium and silty soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky, silty and clayey.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then Poncirus. Poncirus only if the active lime stays below about 5% (soil analysis).
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −12 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Satsuma Owari FS
down to −12 °C · €42.00
See all 17 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 11 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Hana Yuzu, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −9 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma Miyagawa
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Shekwasha
down to −11 °C · €34.85
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Kinkoji
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 21 available plants that withstand −9 °C
Sold out for now: 20 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −9 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−13 °Cone winter in ten
Chevreuse valley and Rambouillet forest
Rambouillet, Chevreuse, Dampierre-en-Yvelines, Choisel, Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, Montfort-l'Amaury
See the citrus trees for this area
The forests and small valleys in the south of the département: −13 °C one winter in ten, −9 °C in an ordinary winter. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus, satsumas and kumquats with a fleece on frosty nights; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The silty, clay soil stays heavy in winter: plant on a mound, against a south-facing wall.
Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils, river alluvium and soils over clay, waterlogged in winter. In practice, the soil is often clayey and silty.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −13 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −10 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Ichang Lemon Shangyuan
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
-
US 119
down to −12 °C · €35.00
See all 27 available plants that withstand −10 °C
Sold out for now: 25 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Harumi, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −10 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−16 °Cone winter in ten
Houdan area
Houdan, Orgerus, Septeuil, Thoiry, Garancières, Bazainville
See the citrus trees for this area
The Houdan area, in the west of the département, is the coldest corner: −16 °C one winter in ten at Orgerus and −18.7 °C recorded in February 2012. Even citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 need a fleece here on very cold nights; the other citrus trees stay in pots, brought in for the winter. Only one station measures this area: a sheltered garden in a village may be a little milder.
Orgerus
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils, waterlogged soils and soils over clay, waterlogged in winter. In practice, the soil is often clayey and silty.
Rootstock to favour: Poncirus.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −16 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
None of our available plants withstands this cold without protection: choose pot culture.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −13 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −13 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
Readings from the Météo-France stations (winters 1996-1997 to 2025-2026)
| Station | Altitude | Ordinary winter | One winter in ten | Record | Winters at −9 °C or below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vélizy-Villacoublay | 174 m | −6.3 °C | −9.7 °C | −11.8 °C (1 January 1997) | 4 out of 30 |
| Trappes | 167 m | −6.4 °C | −11.5 °C | −13.2 °C (1 January 1997) | 7 out of 30 |
| Toussus-le-Noble | 154 m | −6.7 °C | −12.3 °C | −14.2 °C (8 January 2010) | 9 out of 30 |
| Magnanville | 123 m | −7 °C | −12.3 °C | −12.7 °C (1 January 1997) | 7 out of 30 |
| Versailles (INRAE) | 121 m | −8 °C | −12.7 °C | −13.9 °C (8 January 2010) | 10 out of 30 |
| Maule | 33 m | −8 °C | −12.4 °C | −14.5 °C (7 February 2012) | 15 out of 30 |
| Choisel | 176 m | −8.5 °C | −12.9 °C | −13 °C (7 January 2009) | 10 out of 21 |
| Orgerus | 102 m | −8.6 °C | −16.2 °C | −18.7 °C (7 February 2012) | 9 out of 21 |
| Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines | 176 m | −8.7 °C | −12.9 °C | −14.2 °C (8 January 2010) | 12 out of 27 |
| Chapet | 42 m | −9 °C | −15.1 °C | −16.6 °C (7 February 2012) | 11 out of 20 |
| Achères | 31 m | −9.1 °C | −12 °C | −15.7 °C (7 January 2009) | 16 out of 30 |
“Ordinary winter”: half of the winters go colder, the other half less cold. “One winter in ten”: this cold is reached or exceeded in about one winter in ten. Calculations by the Greffeur d'agrumes nursery.
How to read these figures
The hardiness given on our product pages is the cold that an adult, healthy and hardened citrus tree withstands during a short frost. We compare it with the cold that comes back about one winter in ten: a plant listed “without protection” withstands at least that cold. In harsher winters, about three in thirty, keep a winter fleece ready for the coldest nights.
Very harsh winters are still possible. In February 2012, Orgerus fell to −18.7 °C and Chapet to −16.6 °C; in January 2009, Achères recorded −15.7 °C. Such cold can burn the leaves or a few shoots of a citrus tree that is only just hardy enough. Wait for spring to see what grows back before pruning.
To understand what helps a tree get through frost, read Understanding citrus hardiness.
Our advice for the Yvelines
- Choose the hardiest. In the Yvelines, citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 do without protection, except in the Houdan area; in Versailles and in the Seine and Mauldre valleys, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas too. In the Chevreuse valley, they can try the ground with a fleece. Lemon trees and orange trees stay in pots, brought in for the winter away from frost.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys. The records show it: one winter in ten, Chapet, near the Seine, falls to −15.1 °C, 3 °C lower than Achères. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Take care of drainage. The silty and clay soils of the plateau and the Chevreuse valley hold water in winter. In heavy or chalky soil, plant on a mound.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant. In chalky, dry soil, FA5 does better. Our 5-step test helps you choose: Which rootstock should you choose?
- Plant in spring, once the frosts are over. The tree then has a whole season to take root before its first winter. From September onwards, no fertiliser and no pruning.
- Protect young plants on nights below −5 °C during the first years. Put the winter fleece on at each frost and take it off as soon as the frost stops.
- Mulch in summer only, against drought, without the straw touching the trunk. Pull it away from the foot of the tree at the end of autumn: moisture at the collar encourages phytophthora.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant a lemon tree in the ground in Versailles?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Versailles falls to −7 °C in an ordinary winter and −12 °C one winter in ten. Keep them in pots, brought in for the winter. For a sour fruit in the ground, choose a yuzu instead: it spends the winter outdoors in Versailles; in the Chevreuse valley, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 (−15 °C) do too, and the other yuzus (−12 °C) with a fleece on frosty nights. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Yvelines?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter outdoors everywhere except in the Houdan area, where they need a fleece. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas do without it in Versailles and in the Seine and Mauldre valleys; in the Chevreuse valley, they need a fleece on frosty nights, like the other satsumas and kumquats; in the Houdan area, they stay in pots. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety: in Versailles and in the Seine and Mauldre valleys, only the hardiest clementines can be tried with a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Keep orange trees and the other clementines in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost.
My town is not listed: which area should I choose?
Take the nearest area at the same altitude, then compare with the nearest station in the table of readings. Take off about one degree for every 150 m of extra altitude, and one or two degrees if you are in a hollow.
These figures are guidelines. Your garden may be milder or colder than the nearest station. A question about your plot? Write to us.
Sources: Météo-France, daily basic climatological data (data.gouv.fr, Licence Ouverte 2.0); near the eastern border, also the Deutscher Wetterdienst (Datenlizenz Deutschland 2.0); towns, altitudes and boundaries: INSEE, IGN (Admin Express, RGE ALTI) and geo.api.gouv.fr (Licence Ouverte); soils: dominant soil map INRAE / Gis Sol (Licence Ouverte). Topsoil lime: LUCAS, European Commission, JRC (ESDAC, Ballabio et al. 2019).