New growth at Grewia robusta stem-tips is often soft and may start off somewhat velvety. Net-veining is distinct for a period on the young, bright green leaves after the initial white velvet disappears. The young stems also have a soft hair covering.

The small, initially globose flower buds are green, the elongated ones pinkish grey with clear longitudinal lines where the sepals will part, also along the sepal midribs (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Coates Palgrave, 2002).