Properties of pristine and Ar plasma-treated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was studied by different methods as a function of the plasma discharge power and the time from the plasma exposure. Surface polarity was determined by goniometry, surface morphology and roughness was examined by atomic force microscopy, the amount of ablated layer was determined by gravimetry. The chemical structure of the surface was determined by photoelectron spectroscopy. Ablation of the surface layer upon plasma treatment and chemical etching was studied by gravimetry. Cytocompatibility of pristine and modified PHB was studied on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). Plasma modification leads to an increase in PHB surface polarity. By aging the surface polarity spontaneously decreases. The amount of ablated layer increases with plasma exposure time and discharge power. The plasma-treated PHB is slightly soluble in water and considerably in methanol. After the plasma treatment the surface morphology and roughness is mildly changed. The plasma treatment improves cell adhesion, proliferation, and spreading homogeneity on the PHB surface. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1231-1238, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers