It is generally beneficial to trim dead or yellow leaves from your houseplants. Removing dead or dying leaves serves several purposes:

1. Aesthetics: Dead or yellow leaves can detract from the overall appearance of your houseplant. By removing them, you maintain a more visually appealing and healthy-looking plant.
2. Plant Health: Dead or yellow leaves can indicate a problem, such as nutrient deficiencies, overwatering, underwatering, pests, or diseases. By removing these leaves, you help prevent the spread of diseases or pests and encourage the plant to focus its energy on healthy growth.
3. Resource Allocation: When a leaf is dying or dead, it is no longer contributing to the plant’s photosynthesis process or nutrient uptake. By removing these leaves, you redirect the plant’s resources to healthier parts of the plant, promoting overall growth and vitality.

When trimming dead or yellow leaves:

1. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid causing additional damage to the plant.
2. Follow the natural curve of the leaf stem when making the cut, just above the base of the leaf or at the main stem.
3. Ensure that you are only removing dead or yellow leaves, and not healthy foliage.
4. Dispose of the trimmed leaves properly to prevent any potential spread of diseases or pests.

It’s important to note that occasional yellowing or shedding of lower leaves can be a natural part of a plant’s growth cycle. However, if you notice a significant number of leaves turning yellow or if the yellowing is accompanied by other signs of plant distress, it may be an indication of an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

Regularly inspect your houseplants and trim any dead or yellow leaves as needed. This simple maintenance practice contributes to the overall health and aesthetics of your plants.