In the Vaucluse, the winter cold changes a lot from one place to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −8 °C in Avignon and the Rhône valley, −11 °C in the Luberon, −12 °C in the Comtat and on the Cavaillon plain, and −17 °C on the Ventoux and the Albion plateau.
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:
−8 °Cone winter in ten
Avignon and the Rhône valley
Avignon, Orange, Sorgues, Le Pontet, Bollène, Valréas
See the citrus trees for this area
The mildest part of the département: −8 °C one winter in ten and −6 °C in an ordinary winter. The mistral blows hard here and dries out the leaves: plant in the shelter of a wall or a hedge. Orange trees, the hardiest clementines, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; lemon trees and the other clementines with a fleece on frosty nights, against a south-facing wall.
Visan
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has river alluvium, fersialsol and chalky soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then C35.
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 −8 °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
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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
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 57 available plants that withstand −8 °C
Sold out for now: 43 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Hana Yuzu, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −5 °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.
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Carvalhal Early Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €29.75
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Star Ruby Grapefruit
down to −7 °C · €29.75
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Bergamot Fantastico
down to −7 °C · €35.00
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Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
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Early Clementine
down to −7 °C · €29.75
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Moon Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €41.00
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Encore Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €35.00
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Purple Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €45.00
See all 15 available plants that withstand −5 °C
Sold out for now: 3 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, US SuperNa.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −5 °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.
−11 °Cone winter in ten
Luberon and the Pays d'Aigues
Apt, Pertuis, La Tour-d'Aigues, Cucuron, Lourmarin, Bonnieux
See the citrus trees for this area
Hillsides and valleys at the foot of the Luberon, on often chalky soil: −11 °C one winter in ten. The differences are large: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, on the hillside, falls to −9.8 °C one winter in ten, Apt, in the valley, to −13.1 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here without protection; the other satsumas, kumquats, orange trees and the hardiest clementines with a fleece, sheltered by a south-facing wall. Lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. In heavy soil, plant on a mound.
Apt
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils, fersialsol and very thin soils over rock. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
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 −11 °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
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °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
See all 19 available plants that withstand −11 °C
Sold out for now: 12 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 Miho, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −8 °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
-
Kishu Kino Kuni Mandarin
down to −10 °C · €42.00
-
Welker Grapefruit
down to −10 °C · €35.00
-
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 38 available plants that withstand −8 °C
Sold out for now: 31 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Pucheng, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −8 °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
Comtat Venaissin and the Cavaillon plain
Carpentras, Cavaillon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Pernes-les-Fontaines, Monteux, Cabrières-d'Avignon
See the citrus trees for this area
A plain where cold air collects on calm nights: one winter in ten, Carpentras falls to −11.3 °C and Cabrières-d'Avignon to −12.3 °C, much lower than Avignon. The soil is often chalky. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines with a fleece. Orange trees, the other clementines and lemon trees stay in pots.
Cabrières-d'Avignon
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils and river alluvium. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
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.
−17 °Cone winter in ten
Mont Ventoux and the Albion plateau
Sault, Saint-Christol, Monieux, Saint-Trinit, Aurel
See the citrus trees for this area
The mountains: −17 °C one winter in ten and −19.3 °C recorded at Saint-Christol in January 2004. The Albion plateau is colder than the slopes of the Ventoux: one winter in ten, Saint-Christol (836 m) falls to −18.3 °C, Mont Serein (1,445 m) to −15.4 °C. Only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried in the ground here, with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall; the other citrus trees stay in pots, protected from frost in winter.
Saint-Christol
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock, fersialsol and very stony soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstock to favour: 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 −17 °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 −14 °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 −14 °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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | 57 m | −5.7 °C | −8.4 °C | −10.8 °C (12 January 2010) | 2 out of 30 |
| Visan | 141 m | −6 °C | −8.1 °C | −10.9 °C (2 March 2005) | 2 out of 29 |
| Vaugines | 345 m | −6 °C | −11.3 °C | −12 °C (30 December 1996) | 5 out of 24 |
| Oppède (Petit Luberon ridge) | 672 m | −6.2 °C | −11 °C | −13.6 °C (7 February 2012) | 6 out of 25 |
| Avignon | 34 m | −6.5 °C | −8.6 °C | −9.9 °C (2 March 2005) | 1 out of 30 |
| La Bastide-des-Jourdans | 381 m | −6.9 °C | −10.2 °C | −12.3 °C (6 February 2012) | 7 out of 30 |
| Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt | 322 m | −7.3 °C | −9.8 °C | −12 °C (12 February 2012) | 5 out of 25 |
| Carpentras | 98 m | −7.3 °C | −11.3 °C | −12.8 °C (12 February 2012) | 7 out of 30 |
| Cabrières-d'Avignon | 142 m | −7.6 °C | −12.3 °C | −13.7 °C (12 February 2012) | 11 out of 30 |
| Sannes | 307 m | −9 °C | −14 °C | −14.5 °C (30 December 1996) | 13 out of 25 |
| Apt | 242 m | −9.1 °C | −13.1 °C | −15.6 °C (12 February 2012) | 17 out of 30 |
| Beaumont-du-Ventoux (Mont Serein) | 1445 m | −11.5 °C | −15.4 °C | −18 °C (5 February 2012) | 20 out of 25 |
| Saint-Christol | 836 m | −11.8 °C | −18.3 °C | −19.3 °C (30 January 2004) | 26 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, Apt fell to −15.6 °C and Carpentras to −12.8 °C; in January 2004, Saint-Christol, on the Albion plateau, recorded −19.3 °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 Vaucluse
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects on the plains and at the bottom of valleys. The records show it: one winter in ten, Carpentras falls to −11.3 °C while Avignon stays at −8.6 °C, and Apt, in the valley, to −13.1 °C while Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, on the hillside, stays at −9.8 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Shelter from the mistral. This cold, dry wind dries out the leaves in winter. A hedge, a wall or a fence on the north side protects the tree.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. The soil is often chalky in the Comtat, the Luberon and on the Albion plateau. In chalky, dry soil, FA5 does best. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant and copes with drought better than 4475. In heavy soil, plant on a mound. Our 5-step test helps you choose: Which rootstock should you choose?
- Water in summer. Summers are dry: a citrus tree in the ground needs regular, deep watering, especially in the first years.
- 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 Avignon?
Yes, with a fleece. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and the Rhône valley falls to −8 °C one winter in ten. Plant it against a south-facing wall, sheltered from the mistral, and cover it at each frost. In the rest of the département, keep them in pots, brought in for the winter. For a sour fruit in the ground, choose a yuzu or a hardy lemon substitute instead. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Vaucluse?
In the Rhône valley, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter without protection. In the Luberon, at −11 °C one winter in ten, and in the Comtat, at −12 °C, citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas also manage without it; the other satsumas and kumquats need a fleece. On the Ventoux and the Albion plateau, at −17 °C, only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried, with a fleece; the others 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. Around Avignon and Orange, orange trees and the hardiest clementines spend the winter outdoors without protection; the other clementines with a fleece on frosty nights, sheltered by a south-facing wall. In the Luberon, orange trees and the hardiest clementines hold out with a fleece; in the Comtat, only the hardiest clementines. Keep the others in pots, as on the Ventoux.
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 on an enclosed plain or at the bottom of a valley.
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).