Aeonium cruentum Webb ex Bolle
Bloody aeonium
Aeonium cruentum, commonly called the bloody aeonium for the intense blood-red colour its leaves acquire under full sun exposure, is an exclusive endemic of La Palma that grows on cliffs and ravines between 300 and 1,200 m elevation. Its branched stems can reach 50 cm in height, crowned by flat rosettes of oblanceolate leaves with a striking ciliate margin and variable colouration from dark green to blood red depending on sun exposure. Like all Aeonium, it is a strict winter grower: its active growth period spans October to May, while in midsummer it enters dormancy and drastically reduces its metabolism. Taxonomically, A. cruentum is closely related to A. spathulatum, with which it has frequently been confused or synonymised in horticultural literature.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Aeonium |
| Growth Habit | Shrubby succulent with branched stems 20–50 cm; flat rosettes 6–12 cm in diameter; clump-forming growth |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable (VU) — IUCN: very restricted area of occupancy on La Palma; threatened by habitat degradation and recurring wildfires |
| pH Target | 6.0–7.5 |
| Type | Volcanic, highly porous and mineral, low in organic matter |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Oblanceolate leaves 3–6 cm long, with very noticeable white ciliate margins; dark green in partial shade, intense blood-red under full exposure. The red colouration is due to anthocyanin accumulation as a response to light stress and drought.
ecoYellow flowers in a conical panicle 10–20 cm wide; each flower with 9–12 linear petals. Flowering occurs between February and April. As in other species of the genus, the rosette that flowers dies after fruiting.
ecoErect to sub-erect stems, woody at the base, 20–50 cm, with dichotomous or polychotomous branching; leaf scars clearly visible. They readily produce axillary offsets that ensure the persistence of the plant.
ecoFibrous root system, relatively shallow and well-anchored in cracks of volcanic rock. Roots develop some water-storage capacity during the growth period.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Volcanic, highly porous and mineral, low in organic matter
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Cut a stem with rosette 5–10 cm using a sterilized knife or scissors.
- 2 Remove lower leaves leaving 3–4 cm of bare stem.
- 3 Allow the cutting base to callus for 48–72 hours in a dry, shaded location.
- 4 Insert into dry mineral substrate (pumice + coarse sand); do not bury leaves.
- 5 Place in bright shade; water very lightly after 7 days and then every 10 days.
- 6 Roots appear in 3–6 weeks; move to final position with more light.
To maximise red colour: expose to full sun between October and May with reduced watering; the combination of cold, intense light, and mild water stress activates anthocyanin synthesis.
Watering in summer (dormancy): the most frequent and lethal mistake. A single summer flooding can cause irreversible rot.
Every 2–3 years in September-October, at the start of the growth period
Once a year in October, low-nitrogen mineral fertilizer (5-10-10); avoid excess nitrogen which promotes green over red colour
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
No known toxicity for humans or domestic animals.
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Plant Health
Root and crown rot (Phytophthora spp.): maximum risk in summer if residual moisture remains in substrate. Ensure complete drainage and stop watering between June and September.
Mealybug (Planococcus citri): establishes itself at the base of rosettes and in leaf axils. Treat with 1% neem oil or systemic imidacloprid at the restart of autumn growth.
Cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus): causes distortion of young leaves in the centre of the rosette; treat with specific acaricide (abamectin).
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"The taxonomy of Aeonium cruentum has historically been complex: Webb ex Bolle described it in 1860 as a species endemic to La Palma, differentiated from A. spathulatum by its more prominent ciliate margins and intense red pigmentation. Some modern treatments (Bramwell, 1998; Liu et al., 2023) maintain it as an independent species based on morphological characters and ITS molecular data; others treat it as a subspecies of A. spathulatum. In cultivation, optimal red colouration is achieved with mild water stress combined with high winter insolation."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.