I've had my small compact(when I bought it) sword for 6 months now and it's
doubled in size and number of leaves but one of the older leaves has
died(completely brown). Should I trim this leaf and future dead ones near
the base or let it rot and fall off on its own.

Trim it. I trim any leaves that start looking unattractive. The plant will
put out new ones.





Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/