In Mayenne, the differences in cold are modest, but they matter for citrus trees. One winter in ten, it falls to about −10 °C in the north, around Mayenne and Ernée, −11 °C in the south, around Château-Gontier and Craon, and −12 °C in the centre, around Laval and Évron.
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:
−10 °Cone winter in ten
Mayenne and the north of the département
Mayenne, Ernée, Gorron, Lassay-les-Châteaux, Le Horps, Villaines-la-Juhel, Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson
See the citrus trees for this area
The northern bocage, a country of small fields and hedges, freezes less hard than the centre of the département: −10 °C one winter in ten and −6 °C in an ordinary winter. Ernée stays at −8.9 °C; Pré-en-Pail, at 277 m, falls to −11.0 °C. Satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; orange trees and clementines need a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. Lemon trees stay in pots. The soil often stays wet in winter: plant on a mound.
Pré-en-Pail
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, silty soils and soils waterlogged part of the year. In practice, the soil is often winter-wet, 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 −10 °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
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
See all 32 available plants that withstand −10 °C
Sold out for now: 27 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Hana Yuzu, 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, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −7 °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
-
Clemenules Clementine
down to −9 °C · €35.00
-
Marsh Seedless Grapefruit
down to −9 °C · €29.75
-
Kabosu
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Cara Cara Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
See all 33 available plants that withstand −7 °C
Sold out for now: 19 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Haruka, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Moro Orange, Natsudaidai, 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 −7 °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
Château-Gontier and the south of the département
Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne, Craon, Cossé-le-Vivien, Villiers-Charlemagne, Grez-en-Bouère, Coudray
See the citrus trees for this area
The south, around Château-Gontier and Craon: −11 °C one winter in ten and −7 °C in an ordinary winter. The differences are clear: Coudray falls to −11.9 °C, Grez-en-Bouère stays at −9.9 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; orange trees, the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines need a fleece at each frost. Lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil, clay and often chalky, stays wet in winter: plant on a mound.
Grez-en-Bouère
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils, soils waterlogged part of the year and chalky 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 −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.
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Laval and Évron
Laval, Bonchamp-lès-Laval, Louverné, Argentré, Évron, Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes
See the citrus trees for this area
The centre of the département, around Laval and Évron, is the coldest: −12 °C one winter in ten, −8 °C in an ordinary winter and −15.4 °C recorded at Saint-Georges-le-Fléchard in February 2012. There is no station in Laval itself: Argentré, east of the town, serves as a reference. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines need a fleece. Orange trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil, often clay, stays wet in winter: plant on a mound.
Saint-Georges-le-Fléchard
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has ordinary brown soils, river alluvium and silty 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Horps | 268 m | −5.7 °C | −10 °C | −12 °C (11 February 2012) | 5 out of 23 |
| Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie | 208 m | −6 °C | −10 °C | −13 °C (2 January 1997) | 4 out of 22 |
| Mayenne | 138 m | −6 °C | −9.5 °C | −12.5 °C (2 January 1997) | 6 out of 30 |
| Ernée | 168 m | −6.1 °C | −8.9 °C | −12.6 °C (2 January 1997) | 2 out of 30 |
| Grez-en-Bouère | 93 m | −6.3 °C | −9.9 °C | −14.1 °C (12 February 2012) | 2 out of 24 |
| Coudray | 55 m | −6.5 °C | −11.9 °C | −13.2 °C (12 February 2012) | 4 out of 30 |
| Villiers-Charlemagne | 67 m | −7 °C | −11.5 °C | −12 °C (12 February 2012) | 3 out of 24 |
| Cossé-le-Vivien | 95 m | −7 °C | −10 °C | −12 °C (2 January 1997) | 4 out of 30 |
| Craon | 50 m | −7 °C | −10.5 °C | −12.6 °C (9 February 2012) | 4 out of 20 |
| Pré-en-Pail | 277 m | −7.3 °C | −11 °C | −13.8 °C (2 January 1997) | 5 out of 29 |
| Évron | 107 m | −7.8 °C | −12 °C | −14 °C (9 February 2012) | 9 out of 30 |
| Saint-Georges-le-Fléchard | 90 m | −7.8 °C | −12.5 °C | −15.4 °C (11 February 2012) | 9 out of 24 |
| Argentré | 107 m | −7.9 °C | −12.1 °C | −13 °C (2 January 1997) | 7 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 2 January 1997, Pré-en-Pail fell to −13.8 °C; in February 2012, Saint-Georges-le-Fléchard recorded −15.4 °C and Grez-en-Bouère −14.1 °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 Mayenne
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys and in basins. The records show clear differences between neighbouring stations: one winter in ten, Coudray falls to −11.9 °C, while Grez-en-Bouère, 14 km away, stays at −9.9 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Take care of drainage. Throughout the département, the soil is often clay and stays wet in winter. Plant on a mound: excess water weakens the roots in cold weather.
- 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 Laval?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and the area around Laval falls to around −8 °C in an ordinary winter. Keep them in pots, brought in for the winter to a bright room protected from frost. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in Mayenne?
Citranges, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter outdoors without protection throughout the département. Yuzu and Yuzu 3 (−15 °C), the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas (−12 °C) also manage without it everywhere. In the north, all satsumas and kumquats manage without it too; elsewhere, they need a fleece at each frost. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
Orange trees withstand about −8 °C: in the north and in the south, they can be grown in the ground with a fleece on frosty nights, sheltered by a south-facing wall; around Laval and Évron, keep them in pots. Clementines, from −7 to −9 °C, all need a fleece in the north. In the south and around Laval, only the hardiest can be tried, with a fleece; keep the others in pots.
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 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).