In Indre-et-Loire, the areas are alike, but the cold can be sharp everywhere. One winter in ten, it falls to about −12 °C in Tours and in the Lochois, −13 °C in the Chinonais and −14 °C in the north of the département.
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:
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Tours and the Loire valley
Tours, Joué-lès-Tours, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Fondettes, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Amboise
See the citrus trees for this area
The Loire valley around Tours: −12 °C one winter in ten, −7 °C in an ordinary winter. The town freezes less than its surroundings: Tours falls to −10.8 °C one winter in ten, Fondettes, to the west, to −13.5 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines with a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Lemon trees, orange trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil, often clay and chalky, stays wet in winter: plant on a mound.
Fondettes
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils and silty soils. In practice, the soil is often winter-wet, clayey, silty 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 −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.
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Lochois and south-east Touraine
Loches, Bléré, Montrésor, Ligueil, Reignac-sur-Indre, Beaumont-Village
See the citrus trees for this area
The south-east of Touraine, between the Cher and the Indre: −12 °C one winter in ten, −7 °C in an ordinary winter. The differences are clear: Ferrière-Larçon stops at −11.3 °C, Perrusson, near Loches, falls to −13.7 °C, and Reignac-sur-Indre recorded −17.3 °C in February 2012. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines with a fleece. Lemon trees, orange trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil is often chalky and clay: plant on a mound.
Reignac-sur-Indre
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, chalky soils and ordinary brown soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky, winter-wet, clayey and silty.
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 −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.
−13 °Cone winter in ten
Chinonais, Véron and Richelais
Chinon, Avoine, Azay-le-Rideau, Richelieu, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, L'Île-Bouchard
See the citrus trees for this area
The west of Touraine, from Chinon to Richelieu: −13 °C one winter in ten, −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Even between the Loire and the Vienne, Savigny-en-Véron falls to −12.7 °C one winter in ten. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus, satsumas and kumquats need a fleece at each frost. Lemon trees, orange trees and clementines stay in pots. The soil, often clay, stays wet in winter: plant on a mound.
Lignières-de-Touraine
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, chalky soils and shallow chalky soils. In practice, the soil is often winter-wet, clayey, chalky and silty.
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.
−14 °Cone winter in ten
Gâtine and the north of Touraine
Château-Renault, Neuillé-Pont-Pierre, Château-la-Vallière, Neuvy-le-Roi, Saint-Paterne-Racan
See the citrus trees for this area
The north of the département is the coldest: −14 °C one winter in ten, −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Saint-Laurent-en-Gâtines falls to −15.5 °C one winter in ten, and Saunay recorded −17.2 °C in February 2012. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter outdoors here; the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. The other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil, often clay, stays wet in winter.
Saunay
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils, chalky soils and ordinary brown soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky, winter-wet, 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 −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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tours | 108 m | −5.9 °C | −10.8 °C | −13 °C (7 January 2009) | 5 out of 30 |
| Savigny-en-Véron | 33 m | −6.3 °C | −12.7 °C | −14.8 °C (7 January 2009) | 4 out of 30 |
| Saint-Christophe-sur-le-Nais | 107 m | −6.3 °C | −12.4 °C | −16 °C (7 January 2009) | 5 out of 30 |
| Ferrière-Larçon | 116 m | −6.6 °C | −11.3 °C | −15.1 °C (7 February 2012) | 6 out of 30 |
| Ligré | 67 m | −6.6 °C | −12.6 °C | −12.9 °C (7 January 2009) | 6 out of 25 |
| Joué-lès-Tours | 93 m | −6.7 °C | −11.1 °C | −11.5 °C (7 January 2009) | 5 out of 22 |
| Saint-Épain | 112 m | −6.8 °C | −12.8 °C | −13.8 °C (7 January 2009) | 4 out of 25 |
| Saunay | 109 m | −6.8 °C | −13.1 °C | −17.2 °C (7 February 2012) | 7 out of 25 |
| Sublaines | 111 m | −6.9 °C | −11.8 °C | −14.3 °C (7 February 2012) | 7 out of 30 |
| Beaumont-Village | 126 m | −6.9 °C | −11.9 °C | −14 °C (6 February 2012) | 10 out of 30 |
| Courcoué | 115 m | −7 °C | −14 °C | −14.5 °C (12 February 2012) | 6 out of 24 |
| Saint-Laurent-en-Gâtines | 155 m | −7 °C | −15.5 °C | −15.5 °C (7 January 2009) | 7 out of 23 |
| Chinon | 76 m | −7.1 °C | −12.1 °C | −13 °C (7 January 2009) | 4 out of 24 |
| Amboise | 116 m | −7.3 °C | −11.9 °C | −13.1 °C (7 February 2012) | 6 out of 25 |
| Reignac-sur-Indre | 90 m | −7.4 °C | −12.8 °C | −17.3 °C (9 February 2012) | 8 out of 30 |
| Lignières-de-Touraine | 32 m | −7.5 °C | −13 °C | −16 °C (7 January 2009) | 10 out of 30 |
| Perrusson | 110 m | −7.5 °C | −13.7 °C | −14.7 °C (9 February 2012) | 9 out of 24 |
| Fondettes | 93 m | −7.8 °C | −13.5 °C | −14.8 °C (7 January 2009) | 8 out of 25 |
| Channay-sur-Lathan | 87 m | −7.9 °C | −14.3 °C | −15 °C (7 January 2009) | 7 out of 25 |
| Cheillé | 60 m | −7.9 °C | −13.8 °C | −14.4 °C (7 January 2009) | 9 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 January 2009, Tours fell to −13 °C and Lignières-de-Touraine to −16 °C; in February 2012, Reignac-sur-Indre recorded −17.3 °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 Indre-et-Loire
- Make the most of the town and of walls. One winter in ten, Tours falls to −10.8 °C, Fondettes, a few kilometres away, to −13.5 °C. In town, a south-facing wall offers the safest shelter.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys and in basins. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Take care of drainage. The soils of Touraine, often clay and chalky, stay wet 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 Tours?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Tours falls to −10.8 °C one winter in ten. 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 Indre-et-Loire?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter without protection throughout the département. In Tours and in the Lochois, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas also manage without it; in the Chinonais and the north of Touraine, they need a fleece at each frost. Kumquats are grown with a fleece, except in the north, where they 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. The cold of one winter in ten ranges from −12 to −14 °C depending on the area. In Tours and in the Lochois, only the hardiest clementines can try the open ground, with a fleece against a south-facing wall. Elsewhere, and for orange trees, keep them in pots, brought in for the winter.
My town is not listed: which area should I choose?
Take the nearest area, then compare with the nearest station in the table of readings. Take off one or two degrees if you are in a hollow 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).