What did this ?

Please does anyone know what could have eaten the stem of this Iresine.
It's been in the kitchen since last autumn and I can't see any pests on it, or any of the other plants overwintering in the house.

 

I am not sure what could have eaten your plant but if you empty the pot out onto news paper and have a rummage in the compost you might find the pest lurking there.If the plant is a succulent type could you cleanly cut off the bottom leaves and make a horizontal cut Just underneath where the bottom leaves were and try putting the stem in some water to hopefully root.I will have to have a Google to familiarise the plant as I don't think I have seen one before...

 

According to a site I found on the net called Garden Drum the plant can easily be propagated by putting the stems in a jar or vase or water so if you haven't already thrown out the plant you might be able to save it

 

I had one for a few years, a lovely plant with a sheen to it but somehow I lost it!

Also a house near the council buildings in Silves (Algarve's old capital, our county town 20 minutes from us) has a small border hedge of it to die for.

Sorry Michael, wish I could help but I can't.

 

As Kandy says Michael, check the pot for the pest, I am thinking Keel Slug.

 

Thank you all for your help
I have tipped the soil out but didn't find any pests.
I've put the top bit to root in water, but if it fails I have plenty more of them.

 

Best of British Michael!
No personal experience of it, but, if you can generate some more plants from propagating it, that is all to the good.
Its the pits when you have nurtured something only to find some pest has got the better of it!