In the Alpes-Maritimes, the winter cold changes enormously between the coast and the mountains. One winter in ten, it falls to about −2 °C in Nice and Menton, −4 °C in Cannes and Antibes, −7 °C in the moyen pays (the hills behind the coast), −9 °C in the Préalpes and −14 °C in the mountains.
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:
−2 °Cone winter in ten
Nice, Menton and the Riviera
Nice, Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
See the citrus trees for this area
Between Nice and Menton, the mountains shelter the coast from the north and the sea softens the nights: −2 °C one winter in ten, and no frost in an ordinary winter. All citrus trees spend the winter outdoors here, lemon trees included. Choose according to the minimum temperature in your garden: the small valleys that run up inland get more frost than the seafront.
Menton
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −2 °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
-
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 73 available plants that withstand −2 °C
Sold out for now: 46 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, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mandalate 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, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand 1 °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.
No plant available in this range for now.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than 1 °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.
−4 °Cone winter in ten
Cannes, Antibes and the nearby moyen pays
Cannes, Antibes, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Valbonne, Mougins, Vence, Carros
See the citrus trees for this area
The coast of Cannes and Antibes and the first hills: −4 °C one winter in ten. Valley bottoms get more frost: Carros, in the Var valley, falls to −4.9 °C, Valbonne, on the plateau, to only −2.9 °C. All citrus trees spend the winter outdoors here, lemon trees included; in hollows, keep a fleece for lemon trees on exceptional frosty nights. The soil is often chalky: if it is heavy, plant on a mound.
Cannes
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, chalky soils and river alluvium. 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 −4 °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
-
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 72 available plants that withstand −4 °C
Sold out for now: 46 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, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mandalate 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, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −1 °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 −1 °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.
−7 °Cone winter in ten
Moyen pays
Sospel, Breil-sur-Roya, La Turbie, Lucéram, Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey
See the citrus trees for this area
The villages between 300 and 850 m, above the coast: −7 °C one winter in ten, −3 °C in an ordinary winter. Orange trees, clementines, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here. Lemon trees need a fleece on frosty nights, against a south-facing wall. The soil is often chalky: take care of drainage.
Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has fersialsol, very thin soils over rock and shallow 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 −7 °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
-
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 65 available plants that withstand −7 °C
Sold out for now: 46 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, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mandalate 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, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −4 °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 −4 °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.
−9 °Cone winter in ten
Préalpes and the haut pays
Puget-Théniers, Tende, Coursegoules, Gréolières, Caussols, Peille, Moulinet
See the citrus trees for this area
The Préalpes of Grasse and Nice and the inland valleys, between 450 and 1,270 m: −9 °C one winter in ten, −6 °C in an ordinary winter. Satsumas, yuzus, kumquats, citranges and the hardiest clementines spend the winter outdoors here; orange trees and the other clementines with a fleece; lemon trees stay in pots. On the limestone plateau of Caussols, expect −11.6 °C one winter in ten.
Caussols
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, very thin soils over rock and fersialsol. 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 −9 °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
-
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 38 available plants that withstand −9 °C
Sold out for now: 31 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Hana Yuzu, 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 Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −6 °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.
-
Fukumoto Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Fina Clementine
down to −8 °C · €29.75
-
Enzo Grapefruit
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Murcott Tangor
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Citradia
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Cara Cara Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Glauca
down to −8 °C · €38.00
See all 27 available plants that withstand −6 °C
Sold out for now: 15 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Hassaku, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, Moro Orange, Ota 38 Tangor, Salustiana Orange, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, US SuperNa, 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 −6 °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
Mountains
Guillaumes, Péone, Beuil, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée
See the citrus trees for this area
The mountains: −14 °C one winter in ten, and −15.5 °C recorded at Péone in February 2018. Only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here without protection; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece on frosty nights; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The valley bottom is almost as cold as the heights, because cold air collects there at night: one winter in ten, Guillaumes (788 m) falls to −14 °C, Péone (1,784 m) to −14.8 °C.
Péone
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock and shallow chalky soils. 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 −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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menton | 216 m | 2.3 °C | −1.2 °C | −2.6 °C (27 February 2018) | 0 out of 30 |
| Nice | 2 m | 1 °C | −1.8 °C | −2.1 °C (29 January 2005) | 0 out of 30 |
| Valbonne (Sophia-Antipolis) | 238 m | 0.5 °C | −2.9 °C | −3.3 °C (11 February 2012) | 0 out of 30 |
| Carros | 78 m | −1.4 °C | −4.9 °C | −5.6 °C (31 January 1999) | 0 out of 27 |
| Mandelieu-la-Napoule | 104 m | −1.5 °C | −3.7 °C | −4.3 °C (11 February 2012) | 0 out of 29 |
| Èze | 704 m | −1.7 °C | −6 °C | −6.4 °C (27 February 2018) | 0 out of 25 |
| Antibes | 32 m | −2 °C | −3.5 °C | −4.4 °C (1 March 2005) | 0 out of 29 |
| Cannes | 2 m | −2.4 °C | −4.3 °C | −5.8 °C (26 January 2005) | 0 out of 30 |
| Sospel | 843 m | −2.7 °C | −7.3 °C | −8.1 °C (27 February 2018) | 0 out of 22 |
| Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne | 694 m | −2.8 °C | −7.9 °C | −8.1 °C (12 February 2010) | 0 out of 20 |
| Breil-sur-Roya | 305 m | −4.5 °C | −6.6 °C | −7.6 °C (6 February 2012) | 0 out of 20 |
| Coursegoules | 985 m | −5 °C | −8.7 °C | −9 °C (27 February 2018) | 1 out of 28 |
| Peille | 1106 m | −5 °C | −9.1 °C | −10.3 °C (27 February 2018) | 4 out of 30 |
| Tende | 636 m | −5.6 °C | −9 °C | −10.2 °C (6 February 2012) | 3 out of 30 |
| Puget-Théniers | 449 m | −5.9 °C | −8.8 °C | −9.8 °C (30 December 2005) | 1 out of 22 |
| Moulinet | 817 m | −6 °C | −10 °C | −10.5 °C (1 March 2005) | 3 out of 22 |
| Ascros | 1173 m | −6 °C | −9.5 °C | −10.7 °C (28 February 2018) | 4 out of 30 |
| Caussols | 1268 m | −7.4 °C | −11.6 °C | −11.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 10 out of 30 |
| Peïra-Cava | 1443 m | −7.4 °C | −12.3 °C | −15 °C (23 February 2005) | 10 out of 30 |
| Guillaumes | 788 m | −10 °C | −14 °C | −15 °C (5 February 2012) | 15 out of 23 |
| Péone | 1784 m | −10.2 °C | −14.8 °C | −15.5 °C (28 February 2018) | 19 out of 24 |
“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. At the end of February 2018, Menton fell to −2.6 °C, Sospel to −8.1 °C and Péone to −15.5 °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 Alpes-Maritimes
- On the coast, choose according to the minimum temperature. The coast offers favourable conditions, but it is not uniform: one winter in ten, Nice falls to −1.8 °C and Cannes to −4.3 °C. Rely on the station nearest to your home.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys. The records show it: Carros, in the Var valley, gets more frost than Valbonne, on the plateau, and Guillaumes, at the bottom of the valley, almost as much as Péone, 1,000 m higher. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall.
- Shelter young plants from salt spray by the sea, behind a hedge or a wall.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. Inland, the soil is often chalky. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant; in chalky, dry soil, FA5 does better. In chalky or heavy soil, plant on a mound. 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 Nice?
Yes. One winter in ten, Nice only falls to −1.8 °C, and in most winters there is no frost at all. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C: they spend the winter outdoors there. Only protect young plants in the first years. Around Cannes and Antibes too, they spend the winter outdoors; in the moyen pays, they need a fleece; in the Préalpes and in the mountains, keep them in pots. See Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Alpes-Maritimes?
In the Préalpes, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter without protection. In the mountains, at −14 °C one winter in ten, only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 manage without it; the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas live there with a fleece. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety. On the coast and in the moyen pays, they spend the winter in the ground without protection. In the Préalpes, only the hardiest clementines manage without it: put a fleece on orange trees and the other clementines on frosty nights, sheltered by a south-facing wall. In the mountains, keep them in pots.
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).