In the Aveyron, winters are harsh for citrus trees, and the cold changes from one place to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −11 °C in the Tarn valley and the Rougier de Camarès, −14 °C around Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and −15 °C on the Causses (limestone plateaus), in the Lot valley, on the Aubrac and in Rodez.
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:
−11 °Cone winter in ten
Tarn valley and Rougier de Camarès
Saint-Affrique, Vabres-l'Abbaye, Camarès, Montlaur, Belmont-sur-Rance, Broquiès, La Bastide-Solages
See the citrus trees for this area
The sheltered valleys in the south of the département, between 230 and 380 m: −11 °C one winter in ten and −9 °C in an ordinary winter. La Bastide-Solages, on the banks of the Tarn, stays at −10.8 °C; at Montlaur, the lower station falls to −13.5 °C, two degrees more than its neighbour. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats, orange trees and the hardiest clementines need a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil varies, sometimes acid, sometimes chalky.
Montlaur (2)
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has thin acid soils, ordinary brown soils and river alluvium. In practice, the soil is often acid, chalky, silty and clayey.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5. 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
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Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
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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
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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.
−14 °Cone winter in ten
Villefranche-de-Rouergue and Bas-Ségala
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Villeneuve, Najac, Rieupeyroux, Montbazens, Decazeville, Belcastel
See the citrus trees for this area
The west of the Rouergue, lower than the rest of the département: −14 °C one winter in ten and −10 °C in an ordinary winter; Montbazens falls to −15.5 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often silty, sometimes clay: in heavy soil, plant on a mound.
Montbazens
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, calcium-rich but barely chalky soils and very thin soils over rock. 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 −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
Millau, Grands Causses and Larzac
Millau, Creissels, Nant, La Cavalerie, L'Hospitalet-du-Larzac, Cornus
See the citrus trees for this area
The limestone plateaus of the Grands Causses and the Larzac, between 700 and 800 m: −15 °C one winter in ten and −10 °C in an ordinary winter. The Millau station, at 712 m, stays at −11.8 °C; Cornus falls to −17.3 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece on frosty nights. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often chalky: plant on a mound.
Cornus
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, river alluvium and fersialsol. In practice, the soil is often chalky, silty and clayey.
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 −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.
−15 °Cone winter in ten
Lot valley, Aubrac and Carladez
Espalion, Entraygues-sur-Truyère, Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Saint-Geniez-d'Olt, Laguiole, Mur-de-Barrez, Brommat
See the citrus trees for this area
The Lot valley and the high plateaus of the Aubrac and the Carladez, from 290 to 1,080 m: −15 °C one winter in ten and −10 °C in an ordinary winter. The differences are clear: Entraygues-sur-Truyère stays at −11.5 °C, Laguiole (1,030 m) falls to −16.0 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece on frosty nights. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often silty and clay, sometimes acid.
Laguiole
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has volcanic soils, ordinary brown soils and foot-of-slope soils. In practice, the soil is often silty, clayey and acid.
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.
−15 °Cone winter in ten
Rodez, Ségala and Lévézou
Rodez, Onet-le-Château, Luc-la-Primaube, Baraqueville, Flavin, Pont-de-Salars, Salles-Curan
See the citrus trees for this area
The Ségala and Lévézou plateau around Rodez, from 580 to 960 m: −15 °C one winter in ten and −11 °C in an ordinary winter. Rodez falls to −14.9 °C, Colombiès stays at −11.0 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece on frosty nights, against a south-facing wall. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often silty.
Rodez (aéroport)
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils and shallow chalky 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Bastide-Solages | 230 m | −6.9 °C | −10.8 °C | −11.5 °C (9 February 2012) | 5 out of 24 |
| Entraygues-sur-Truyère | 292 m | −7.5 °C | −11.5 °C | −14.5 °C (19 December 2009) | 11 out of 30 |
| Colombiès | 647 m | −8.2 °C | −11 °C | −14 °C (8 February 2012) | 12 out of 28 |
| Millau | 712 m | −8.2 °C | −11.8 °C | −13.6 °C (8 February 2012) | 14 out of 30 |
| Brommat | 732 m | −8.9 °C | −12.5 °C | −15 °C (5 February 2012) | 10 out of 20 |
| Villefranche-de-Rouergue | 330 m | −8.9 °C | −13.5 °C | −15.5 °C (6 February 2012) | 15 out of 30 |
| La Bastide-l'Évêque | 500 m | −9 °C | −13 °C | −14 °C (11 February 2012) | 13 out of 24 |
| Montlaur | 374 m | −9.4 °C | −11.4 °C | −13.3 °C (1 March 2005) | 13 out of 23 |
| Villeneuve | 353 m | −9.5 °C | −13.5 °C | −14 °C (6 February 2012) | 17 out of 24 |
| Monteils | 268 m | −9.6 °C | −13.1 °C | −15.7 °C (6 February 2012) | 17 out of 27 |
| Saint-Côme-d'Olt | 380 m | −9.8 °C | −15.1 °C | −15.4 °C (9 February 2012) | 14 out of 23 |
| Belcastel | 444 m | −10 °C | −13.5 °C | −15.5 °C (12 February 2012) | 17 out of 26 |
| Millau (Larzac) | 794 m | −10.3 °C | −14.6 °C | −16.2 °C (11 January 2010) | 21 out of 28 |
| Rodez (airport) | 578 m | −10.4 °C | −14.9 °C | −16.1 °C (5 February 2012) | 23 out of 30 |
| Montlaur (2) | 345 m | −10.5 °C | −13.5 °C | −14 °C (1 March 2005) | 15 out of 20 |
| Huparlac | 860 m | −10.5 °C | −14.9 °C | −16.6 °C (5 February 2012) | 17 out of 23 |
| Montbazens | 400 m | −10.5 °C | −15.5 °C | −16 °C (11 February 2012) | 22 out of 24 |
| Aurelle-Verlac | 1076 m | −10.7 °C | −15 °C | −16.5 °C (4 February 2012) | 20 out of 26 |
| Salles-Curan | 959 m | −10.9 °C | −14.6 °C | −15.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 25 out of 30 |
| Flavin | 657 m | −10.9 °C | −14.5 °C | −16 °C (5 February 2012) | 17 out of 22 |
| Laguiole | 1030 m | −11.5 °C | −16 °C | −17.5 °C (5 February 2012) | 21 out of 24 |
| Cornus | 718 m | −12.1 °C | −17.3 °C | −17.9 °C (30 January 2004) | 23 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. In February 2012, Rodez fell to −16.1 °C and Laguiole to −17.5 °C; in January 2004, Cornus recorded −17.9 °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 Aveyron
- Choose very hardy citrus. With −14 to −15 °C one winter in ten over most of the département, citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors, and the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas with a fleece; in the Tarn valley, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas manage without a fleece, and orange trees and kumquats cope with one. The other citrus trees are grown in pots, brought in for the winter.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects in low ground. The records show it: at Montlaur, two neighbouring stations differ by two degrees one winter in ten (−11.4 °C and −13.5 °C). Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Take altitude into account. On the Aubrac, Laguiole (1,030 m) falls to −16.0 °C one winter in ten, while Entraygues-sur-Truyère, in the valley, stays at −11.5 °C.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. On the Causses, the soil is chalky: plant on a mound. 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 Rodez?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Rodez falls to around −10 °C in an ordinary winter. Keep them in pots, brought in for the winter. For a sour fruit in the ground, choose a hardy lemon substitute instead, with a fleece. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Aveyron?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C: they spend the winter outdoors without protection throughout the département. In the Tarn valley, the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas also manage without it; elsewhere, they need a fleece on frosty nights. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety. In the Tarn valley and the Rougier de Camarès, orange trees and the hardiest clementines live in the ground with a fleece, against a south-facing wall; the other clementines stay in pots. Elsewhere, that is not enough for the Aveyron: keep them in pots, brought 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 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).