In the Hérault, the winter cold changes a lot between the sea, the plain and the high ground. One winter in ten, it falls to about −7 °C in Montpellier and on the coast, −8 °C in the valleys of the Hauts Cantons, −9 °C on the plain from Béziers to Lunel, −11 °C in the garrigues (dry limestone scrubland) and −13 °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:
−7 °Cone winter in ten
Montpellier, Sète and the coast
Montpellier, Sète, Frontignan, Palavas-les-Flots, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, Marseillan, Agde, Vias
See the citrus trees for this area
The sea softens the nights: −7 °C one winter in ten, −4 °C in an ordinary winter. Sète, between the sea and the Thau lagoon, only falls to −3.8 °C one winter in ten; Montpellier-Aéroport and Marseillan to −6.9 °C. Orange trees, clementines, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; lemon trees need a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. Choose according to the nearest station, and plant sheltered from the wind and the salt spray.
Montpellier-Aéroport
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has fersialsol, sands 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 −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.
−8 °Cone winter in ten
Hauts Cantons: Orb, Minervois and Lodévois
Lodève, Bédarieux, Lamalou-les-Bains, Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian, Olargues, Octon
See the citrus trees for this area
The valleys and hillsides of the hinterland are milder than you might think: −8 °C one winter in ten, −5 °C in an ordinary winter. Berlou, on its slope, only falls to −6.1 °C; the valley bottoms freeze harder, like Les Aires, near Lamalou-les-Bains, at −10 °C. Orange trees, the hardiest clementines, satsumas, yuzus, citranges and kumquats spend the winter outdoors here; the other clementines and lemon trees with a fleece, against a south-facing wall. The soil is often chalky: in heavy soil, plant on a mound.
Roquebrun
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock, chalky soils (dolomite) 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
-
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.
-
Carvalhal Early Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Star Ruby Grapefruit
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Bergamot Fantastico
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Early Clementine
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Moon Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €41.00
-
Encore Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
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.
−9 °Cone winter in ten
The wine plain, from the Biterrois to the Lunellois
Béziers, Pézenas, Lespignan, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Gignac, Saint-André-de-Sangonis, Lunel, Marsillargues
See the citrus trees for this area
The great plain of vineyards, further from the sea: −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 on frosty nights; lemon trees stay in pots. The hollows of the Lunellois and the middle Hérault valley fall to −10 °C. The soil is often chalky: in heavy soil, plant on a mound.
Vérargues
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils, river alluvium 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.
−11 °Cone winter in ten
Garrigues and the Cévennes foothills
Prades-le-Lez, Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, Montarnaud, Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, Saint-Martin-de-Londres, Ganges, Moulès-et-Baucels
See the citrus trees for this area
The garrigues north of Montpellier and the foot of the Cévennes: −11 °C one winter in ten, −8 °C in an ordinary winter. The cold is sharper here than you might think: Prades-le-Lez, about ten kilometres from Montpellier, falls to −11.9 °C one winter in ten, 5 °C lower than the airport. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats, orange trees and the hardiest clementines with a fleece, against a south-facing wall; lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil is chalky: take care of drainage.
Saint-Martin-de-Londres
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock, chalky soils and fersialsol. 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.
−13 °Cone winter in ten
Espinouse mountains and the Larzac
La Salvetat-sur-Agout, Fraisse-sur-Agout, Cambon-et-Salvergues, Le Caylar, Les Plans
See the citrus trees for this area
The Espinouse mountains and the edge of the Larzac: −13 °C one winter in ten, and −16.5 °C recorded at Cambon-et-Salvergues in March 2005. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; satsumas, the other yuzus and kumquats with a fleece; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often acid on the Espinouse, chalky on the Larzac.
Cambon-et-Salvergues
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, very acid sands and thin acid soils. In practice, the soil is often acid and chalky.
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 −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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sète | 75 m | −0.4 °C | −3.8 °C | −5.6 °C (27 February 2018) | 0 out of 30 |
| Soumont | 252 m | −3 °C | −6.5 °C | −8 °C (5 February 2012) | 0 out of 29 |
| Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone (INRAE) | 20 m | −4 °C | −7 °C | −9.3 °C (5 February 2012) | 1 out of 29 |
| Marseillan (INRAE) | 1 m | −4.1 °C | −6.9 °C | −8.6 °C (6 February 2012) | 0 out of 30 |
| Roquebrun | 155 m | −4.1 °C | −7 °C | −11.8 °C (25 December 2001) | 1 out of 21 |
| Berlou | 191 m | −4.4 °C | −6.1 °C | −8.1 °C (27 February 2018) | 0 out of 25 |
| Saint-Jean-de-Minervois | 258 m | −4.8 °C | −8.3 °C | −8.5 °C (8 February 2012) | 0 out of 20 |
| Octon | 184 m | −4.9 °C | −7.2 °C | −7.2 °C (5 February 2012) | 0 out of 20 |
| Lespignan | 23 m | −5 °C | −8 °C | −9 °C (22 November 1998) | 1 out of 25 |
| Murviel-lès-Béziers | 140 m | −5.1 °C | −7.4 °C | −8.5 °C (9 February 2012) | 0 out of 30 |
| Montpellier-Aéroport | 1 m | −5.3 °C | −6.9 °C | −9.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 1 out of 30 |
| Marsillargues | 4 m | −5.5 °C | −9.4 °C | −9.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 3 out of 29 |
| Bédarieux | 373 m | −5.6 °C | −8 °C | −8.7 °C (8 February 2012) | 0 out of 30 |
| Béziers-Vias | 15 m | −5.7 °C | −7.6 °C | −8.7 °C (2 March 2005) | 0 out of 30 |
| Pézenas-Tourbes | 40 m | −6 °C | −8.5 °C | −10.1 °C (22 November 1998) | 2 out of 30 |
| Moulès-et-Baucels | 252 m | −6.1 °C | −9.4 °C | −10 °C (14 February 1999) | 4 out of 22 |
| Béziers-Courtade | 25 m | −6.2 °C | −8.9 °C | −9.6 °C (2 March 2005) | 2 out of 29 |
| Saint-André-de-Sangonis | 86 m | −6.3 °C | −9.2 °C | −10.2 °C (27 February 2018) | 2 out of 22 |
| Vérargues | 56 m | −6.5 °C | −10 °C | −12 °C (5 February 2012) | 2 out of 25 |
| Lunas | 249 m | −6.7 °C | −9.3 °C | −10.4 °C (2 March 2005) | 5 out of 24 |
| Montarnaud | 148 m | −7.3 °C | −11.2 °C | −12 °C (25 December 2001) | 8 out of 21 |
| Le pouget | 70 m | −7.5 °C | −10.1 °C | −10.1 °C (2 March 2005) | 3 out of 23 |
| Les Aires | 190 m | −7.5 °C | −10 °C | −10.4 °C (2 March 2005) | 9 out of 28 |
| Les Plans | 846 m | −7.6 °C | −11.3 °C | −14.6 °C (8 February 2012) | 12 out of 30 |
| Prades-le-Lez | 69 m | −8.9 °C | −11.9 °C | −14.6 °C (12 February 2012) | 14 out of 30 |
| Saint-Martin-de-Londres | 214 m | −9.1 °C | −11.4 °C | −14.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 16 out of 30 |
| Murat-sur-Vèbre | 1022 m | −9.3 °C | −13 °C | −16 °C (8 February 2012) | 13 out of 23 |
| Cambon-et-Salvergues | 955 m | −10.1 °C | −15.1 °C | −16.5 °C (1 March 2005) | 13 out of 23 |
“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, Montpellier-Aéroport fell to −9.8 °C, Vérargues to −12 °C and Saint-Martin-de-Londres to −14.7 °C. In March 2005, Cambon-et-Salvergues recorded −16.5 °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 Hérault
- On the coast, choose according to the minimum temperature. The coast offers favourable conditions, but it is not uniform: one winter in ten, Sète falls to −3.8 °C and Montpellier-Aéroport to −6.9 °C. Go by the station nearest to you.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys and in basins. The records show it: one winter in ten, Prades-le-Lez falls 5 °C lower than Montpellier-Aéroport. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Shelter from the wind. The tramontane wind dries out the leaves in winter. Plant behind a hedge or a wall, and protect young plants from salt spray by the sea.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. From the plain to the garrigues, the soil is often chalky: FA5 does well there, in chalky, dry soil. Poncirus remains the most cold-resistant. 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 Montpellier?
Yes, with a fleece. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C; Montpellier-Aéroport falls to −5.3 °C in an ordinary winter and to −6.9 °C one winter in ten. Plant it against a south-facing wall and put a fleece on at each frost. In Sète, which is milder, it does even better. See Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Hérault?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter without protection everywhere, even in the mountains. On the coast, in the Hauts Cantons and on the plain, yuzus, satsumas and kumquats also manage without it. In the garrigues, so do yuzus and the hardiest satsumas; the other satsumas and kumquats need a fleece. In the mountains, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki), satsumas and kumquats need 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, they spend the winter without protection. In the Hauts Cantons, so do orange trees and the hardiest clementines; the other clementines need a fleece, against a south-facing wall. On the plain, the hardiest clementines manage without it; orange trees and the other clementines need a fleece on frosty nights. In the garrigues, orange trees and the hardiest clementines can try it with a fleece, sheltered by a south-facing wall; keep the other clementines in pots. 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).