In Lozère, winters are harsh for citrus trees, except in the valleys of the Cévennes, and the cold changes a lot from one place to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −11 °C in the Cévennes, −15 °C on the Causses (limestone plateaus) and in Florac, −16 °C around Mende, −17 °C on Mont Lozère and −19 °C on the Aubrac and the Margeride.
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
Cévennes
Le Collet-de-Dèze, Saint-Germain-de-Calberte, Sainte-Croix-Vallée-Française, Saint-Martin-de-Lansuscle, Villefort, Altier
See the citrus trees for this area
The Cévennes valleys, facing south, are by far the least cold part of the département: −11 °C one winter in ten and −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Saint-Martin-de-Lansuscle stays at −10.5 °C; Altier, at 900 m, falls to −12.8 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats, orange trees and the hardiest clementines need a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall; lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil is often acid.
Altier
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has thin acid soils, very thin soils over rock and ordinary brown soils. In practice, the soil is often acid.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then 4475.
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.
−15 °Cone winter in ten
Causses, Tarn gorges and Florac
Florac, Ispagnac, Sainte-Enimie, Meyrueis, Hures-la-Parade, Le Massegros
See the citrus trees for this area
The Causse Méjean and the Causse de Sauveterre, the Tarn gorges and Florac: −15 °C one winter in ten and −11 °C in an ordinary winter. The valley bottom is no milder than the plateau: Florac, at 618 m, falls to −14.8 °C, like Saint-Pierre-des-Tripiers, on the Causse Méjean, at 929 m. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter here in the ground without protection, only just: keep a fleece for them for exceptional nights. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece at each frost; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often chalky: plant on a mound.
Le Massegros
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 thin acid soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
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.
−16 °Cone winter in ten
Mende and the Lot valley
Mende, Marvejols, Chanac, Badaroux, Balsièges, Montrodat
See the citrus trees for this area
Mende, Marvejols and the Lot valley: −16 °C one winter in ten and −11 °C in an ordinary winter. Mende stays at −15.1 °C in town; Montrodat, near Marvejols, falls to −16.5 °C. Only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried in the ground, with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is often chalky: plant on a mound.
Montrodat
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils and shallow chalky soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
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 −16 °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 −13 °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 −13 °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.
−17 °Cone winter in ten
Mont Lozère
Le Bleymard, Le Pont-de-Montvert, Bagnols-les-Bains, Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez
See the citrus trees for this area
The slopes of Mont Lozère, from Le Pont-de-Montvert to Le Bleymard: −17 °C one winter in ten and −12 °C in an ordinary winter. The Le Bleymard station, at 1,418 m, falls to −17.9 °C. Only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried in the ground here, with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall; keep the other citrus trees in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost. The soil is often acid.
Le Bleymard
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has very thin soils over rock, ordinary brown soils and thin acid soils. In practice, the soil is often 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 −17 °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 −14 °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 −14 °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.
−19 °Cone winter in ten
Aubrac and Margeride
Saint-Chély-d'Apcher, Aumont-Aubrac, Nasbinals, Le Malzieu-Ville, Grandrieu, Langogne, Châteauneuf-de-Randon
See the citrus trees for this area
The high plateaus of the Aubrac and the Margeride, mostly above 1,000 m: −19 °C one winter in ten and −13 °C in an ordinary winter. On 1 March 2005, Saint-Chély-d'Apcher fell to −25.6 °C. No citrus tree spends the winter outdoors here: grow them in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost.
Saint-Chély-d'Apcher
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, river alluvium and volcanic soils. In practice, the soil is often acid.
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 −19 °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 −16 °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 −16 °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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Martin-de-Lansuscle | 643 m | −6.2 °C | −10.5 °C | −10.6 °C (27 February 2018) | 4 out of 23 |
| Le Collet-de-Dèze | 490 m | −7 °C | −11 °C | −12 °C (27 February 2018) | 6 out of 30 |
| Villefort | 620 m | −7.7 °C | −10.9 °C | −13.4 °C (1 March 2005) | 9 out of 29 |
| Altier | 900 m | −7.8 °C | −12.8 °C | −14.2 °C (4 February 2012) | 11 out of 28 |
| Bassurels | 1042 m | −10.1 °C | −15 °C | −15.1 °C (14 December 2001) | 18 out of 30 |
| Saint-Pierre-des-Tripiers | 929 m | −10.4 °C | −14.7 °C | −16.7 °C (1 March 2005) | 20 out of 30 |
| Florac | 618 m | −10.5 °C | −14.8 °C | −17.3 °C (15 December 2001) | 24 out of 30 |
| Montrodat | 746 m | −10.5 °C | −16.5 °C | −17.3 °C (18 December 2010) | 23 out of 30 |
| Mende (town) | 710 m | −11.1 °C | −15.1 °C | −15.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 23 out of 29 |
| Mende (932 m) | 932 m | −11.4 °C | −15.7 °C | −16 °C (1 March 2005) | 19 out of 25 |
| Hures-la-Parade | 1028 m | −11.5 °C | −15.9 °C | −17.6 °C (1 March 2005) | 18 out of 24 |
| Le Massegros | 890 m | −11.5 °C | −15.6 °C | −18.2 °C (18 December 2010) | 22 out of 26 |
| Le Pont-de-Montvert | 875 m | −12 °C | −16 °C | −16.5 °C (1 March 2005) | 25 out of 30 |
| Fau-de-Peyre | 1163 m | −12.5 °C | −17.2 °C | −19 °C (1 March 2005) | 28 out of 29 |
| Le Bleymard | 1418 m | −12.5 °C | −17.9 °C | −19.1 °C (4 February 2012) | 25 out of 28 |
| Le Buisson | 1088 m | −12.7 °C | −18.4 °C | −18.6 °C (19 January 2017) | 21 out of 21 |
| Paulhac-en-Margeride | 1170 m | −12.8 °C | −17.4 °C | −20.5 °C (1 March 2005) | 27 out of 28 |
| Naussac | 967 m | −13 °C | −19 °C | −24.4 °C (1 March 2005) | 19 out of 21 |
| Nasbinals | 1284 m | −14.6 °C | −18.6 °C | −19.7 °C (1 March 2005) | 22 out of 22 |
| Grandrieu | 1163 m | −15.4 °C | −19.5 °C | −20.7 °C (1 March 2005) | 26 out of 27 |
| Saint-Chély-d'Apcher | 1032 m | −15.9 °C | −21.5 °C | −25.6 °C (1 March 2005) | 24 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. On 1 March 2005, Saint-Chély-d'Apcher fell to −25.6 °C and Naussac to −24.4 °C; in February 2012, the Le Bleymard station recorded −19.1 °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 Lozère
- Make the most of the Cévennes. In the Cévennes valleys, at −11 °C one winter in ten, citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors, the other satsumas and kumquats with a fleece. On the Causses, citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 stay outdoors, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and the hardiest satsumas under a fleece. Around Mende and on Mont Lozère, only citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried in the ground, with a fleece; on the Aubrac and the Margeride, keep everything in pots.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects in low ground. The records show it: one winter in ten, Saint-Chély-d'Apcher, at 1,032 m, falls to −21.5 °C, while Fau-de-Peyre, at 1,163 m, stays at −17.2 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant. On the Causses and around Mende, the soil is often chalky: FA5 does better, planted on a mound. In the Cévennes and on Mont Lozère, the soil is often acid. 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 Mende?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Mende falls to around −11 °C even 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 ground, the yuzu spends the winter outdoors in the Cévennes. On the Causses, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 also stay outdoors, the other yuzus need a fleece at each frost; around Mende, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 can be tried with a fleece. See our Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in Lozère?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C: they spend the winter outdoors in the Cévennes and on the Causses, with a fleece around Mende and on Mont Lozère. On the Aubrac and the Margeride, keep them in pots. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors in the Cévennes, with a fleece on the Causses. 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 valleys of the Cévennes, orange trees and the hardiest clementines are grown with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. Everywhere else, keep them in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost.
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).