How and where to cut dead stem of house plant?

I have a plant in my house that I am unsure of the name of, which has 3 indivdual long and skinny stems (dragon tree-like but much greener) shooting out of the dirt...there are green starbursts of leaves comming out of each stem, but only at the top...the majority of each stem from the dirt up is bare...



One of the 3 stems has died and no longer has any leaves at the top. The lower part of the stem is still green, but the upper part (where the leaves would have been before) has now browned and shrivled up.



I am wondering what is the best thing to do to promote new growth? Should I cut the dead stem a certain way right below the browning where the stem is still green, or just cut it all the way down to the dirt?

How and where to cut dead stem of house plant?
I would just cut it down to the dirt. If there are no leaves left on the stem, then there is little chance of new growth. Just get rid of it and let the plant focus its energy on the other 2 stems.
Reply:From your description, I am guessing it is a schefflera. Without seeing it, I can't be sure. If the stem is smooth, and there are no bumps, or rings,(called leaf nodes) where the leaves emerge, then it is best to just cut it back to the soil line. It would need to have a leaf node, in-order to produce new growth from the stem.

When mature leaves turn yellow, and new leaves grow small and spindly, the culprit is too little light, lack of water, or it gets too much water. If the plant is in a room with low light, move it to where it will get brighter light. Test the soil to see if the top inch is dry. before you water. Use only a weak fertilizer during the growing season, when the temperature is below 95 degrees.