In the Allier, winters are cold everywhere. One winter in ten, the cold falls to about −13 °C around Moulins, −14 °C around Montluçon, −15 °C around Vichy and in the Limagne, and −18 °C in the Montagne bourbonnaise.
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:
−13 °Cone winter in ten
Moulins, the bocage and the Sologne bourbonnaise
Moulins, Yzeure, Bourbon-l'Archambault, Lurcy-Lévis, Cosne-d'Allier, Dompierre-sur-Besbre, Le Donjon
See the citrus trees for this area
The north and centre of the département, between hedged farmland and the Sologne bourbonnaise. It is the least cold part of the Allier, but expect −13 °C one winter in ten and −9 °C in an ordinary winter. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; satsumas, the other yuzus and kumquats need a fleece at each frost. The soil is often silty or clay: in heavy soil, plant on a mound.
Tortezais
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils, ordinary brown soils and soils waterlogged part of the year. 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.
−14 °Cone winter in ten
Montluçon and the Combrailles
Montluçon, Domérat, Désertines, Commentry, Néris-les-Bains, Montmarault
See the citrus trees for this area
The Cher valley and the Combrailles plateaus have similar winters: −14 °C one winter in ten, in Montluçon as at Durdat-Larequille, at 500 m. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas need a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. The other citrus trees stay in pots.
Échassières
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils and silty soils.
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 −14 °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 −11 °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
-
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
-
US 119
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
See all 14 available plants that withstand −11 °C
Sold out for now: 10 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −11 °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.
−15 °Cone winter in ten
Vichy and the Limagne bourbonnaise
Vichy, Cusset, Bellerive-sur-Allier, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, Varennes-sur-Allier, Gannat
See the citrus trees for this area
The plain of the Allier and the Sioule holds the cold: one winter in ten, Paray-sous-Briailles falls to −15.8 °C and Vichy-Charmeil to −15.7 °C. The centre of Vichy, sheltered by the town, stays at −12.5 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here, only just: in hollows, keep a fleece for them on the coldest nights. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas need a fleece at each frost, in a sheltered garden; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often silty.
Vichy-Charmeil
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, chalky soils and silty soils. In practice, the soil is often 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 −15 °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 −12 °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
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Trivoss No. 1
down to −14 °C · €35.00
-
Citrangeremo
down to −14 °C · €29.75
-
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 14 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 9 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −12 °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.
−18 °Cone winter in ten
Montagne bourbonnaise
Le Mayet-de-Montagne, Arfeuilles, Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs, Ferrières-sur-Sichon, Châtel-Montagne, Laprugne
See the citrus trees for this area
The mountains: −18 °C one winter in ten and −12 °C in an ordinary winter. Arfeuilles (450 m) and Le Mayet-de-Montagne (534 m) fall lower than Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (1,022 m): cold air collects in the valleys. Only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 live here in the ground, with a fleece at each frost. Keep the other citrus trees in pots, brought in for the winter.
Arfeuilles
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils.
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 −18 °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 −15 °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 −15 °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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diou | 220 m | −8 °C | −13.4 °C | −13.9 °C (7 February 2012) | 14 out of 30 |
| Chareil-Cintrat | 286 m | −8.3 °C | −14.1 °C | −14.9 °C (13 January 2003) | 14 out of 30 |
| Saint-Léon | 376 m | −8.5 °C | −12.5 °C | −14 °C (7 February 2012) | 13 out of 29 |
| Bourbon-l'Archambault | 270 m | −8.5 °C | −12.4 °C | −12.9 °C (26 January 2007) | 11 out of 30 |
| Montbeugny | 275 m | −8.6 °C | −13.5 °C | −14.3 °C (25 January 2007) | 14 out of 30 |
| Lurcy-Lévis (2) | 225 m | −8.7 °C | −12.9 °C | −13.5 °C (26 January 2007) | 13 out of 30 |
| Vichy (town) | 255 m | −9 °C | −12.5 °C | −14 °C (6 February 2012) | 16 out of 30 |
| Charmes | 330 m | −9 °C | −12.8 °C | −14.3 °C (5 February 2012) | 17 out of 30 |
| Chemilly | 236 m | −9 °C | −12 °C | −12 °C (16 December 2001) | 13 out of 21 |
| Isle-et-Bardais | 262 m | −9 °C | −13 °C | −14 °C (9 February 2012) | 17 out of 30 |
| Durdat-Larequille | 500 m | −9 °C | −14 °C | −15.1 °C (12 February 2012) | 18 out of 30 |
| Montmarault | 464 m | −9.3 °C | −14.3 °C | −14.5 °C (1 March 2005) | 14 out of 25 |
| Échassières | 650 m | −9.3 °C | −13.5 °C | −15.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 17 out of 30 |
| Saint-Didier-en-Donjon | 293 m | −9.4 °C | −14.2 °C | −14.4 °C (12 January 1999) | 17 out of 29 |
| Buxières-les-Mines | 375 m | −9.4 °C | −14.6 °C | −15.1 °C (26 December 2010) | 12 out of 20 |
| Yzeure | 242 m | −9.5 °C | −14.1 °C | −15.5 °C (7 February 2012) | 16 out of 30 |
| Tortezais | 256 m | −9.5 °C | −14.7 °C | −15.6 °C (26 December 2010) | 19 out of 30 |
| Paray-sous-Briailles | 245 m | −9.5 °C | −15.8 °C | −16 °C (31 December 1996) | 18 out of 30 |
| Louchy-Montfand | 281 m | −9.8 °C | −15 °C | −15.5 °C (26 January 2007) | 15 out of 24 |
| La Ferté-Hauterive | 226 m | −9.8 °C | −15.5 °C | −15.8 °C (31 January 2010) | 14 out of 23 |
| Lurcy-Lévis | 205 m | −10.3 °C | −13.5 °C | −13.9 °C (9 February 2012) | 15 out of 25 |
| Vichy-Charmeil | 249 m | −10.3 °C | −15.7 °C | −16.5 °C (26 December 2010) | 19 out of 30 |
| Montluçon | 229 m | −10.4 °C | −13.9 °C | −15.6 °C (7 February 2012) | 17 out of 24 |
| Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs | 1022 m | −11.2 °C | −15.8 °C | −17.4 °C (7 February 2012) | 25 out of 30 |
| Arfeuilles | 450 m | −11.7 °C | −17.5 °C | −18 °C (7 February 2012) | 20 out of 24 |
| Le Mayet-de-Montagne | 534 m | −12.5 °C | −17.6 °C | −17.7 °C (1 March 2005) | 20 out of 25 |
“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. On 7 February 2012, Yzeure, on the edge of Moulins, fell to −15.5 °C, Montluçon to −15.6 °C and Arfeuilles to −18.0 °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 Allier
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects in plains and at the bottom of valleys. The records show it: one winter in ten, Vichy-Charmeil, in the Allier plain, falls to −15.7 °C, while the centre of Vichy stays at −12.5 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Allow for the mountains. In the Montagne bourbonnaise, at −18 °C one winter in ten, only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 live in the ground, with a fleece at each frost. Keep the other citrus trees in pots.
- Take care of drainage. Around Moulins, the soil is often silty or clay, and heavy soil holds water in winter. In heavy 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.
- 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 Moulins?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Moulins falls to around −9 °C in an ordinary winter. Keep them in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost. For a sour fruit in the garden, a yuzu under a fleece is suitable around Moulins. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Allier?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C: they spend the winter outdoors without protection around Moulins, Montluçon and Vichy; in the Montagne bourbonnaise, they need a fleece at each frost. Satsumas, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and kumquats cope around Moulins with a fleece at each frost; around Montluçon and Vichy, only the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas, sheltered by a south-facing wall. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety: that is not enough for the Allier, even around Moulins. Grow them in pots and bring them in for the winter.
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 one or two degrees if you are in a hollow or by a river, and about one degree for every 150 m of extra altitude.
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).