diff --git a/plugins/vi-mode/README.md b/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
index 476666bf6..3b819c7cb 100644
--- a/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
+++ b/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ plugins=(... vi-mode)
   VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR=true
   ```
 
+  See [Cursor Styles](#cursor-styles) for controlling how the cursor looks in different modes
+
 - `MODE_INDICATOR`: controls the string displayed when the shell is in normal mode.
   See [Mode indicators](#mode-indicators) for details.
 
@@ -52,6 +54,25 @@ INSERT_MODE_INDICATOR="%F{yellow}+%f"
 You can also use the `vi_mode_prompt_info` function in your prompt, which will display
 this mode indicator.
 
+## Cursor Styles
+
+You can control the cursor style used in each active vim mode by changing the values of the following variables.
+
+```zsh
+# defaults
+VI_MODE_CURSOR_NORMAL=2
+VI_MODE_CURSOR_VISUAL=6
+VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT=6
+VI_MODE_CURSOR_OPPEND=0
+```
+
+- 0, 1 - Blinking block
+- 2 - Solid block
+- 3 - Blinking underline
+- 4 - Solid underline
+- 5 - Blinking line
+- 6 - Solid line
+
 ## Key bindings
 
 Use `ESC` or `CTRL-[` to enter `Normal mode`.
diff --git a/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh b/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
index 149d6bbd5..9a410c1fb 100644
--- a/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
+++ b/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ typeset -g VI_MODE_RESET_PROMPT_ON_MODE_CHANGE
 # Unset or set to any other value to do the opposite.
 typeset -g VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR
 
+# Control how the cursor appears in the various vim modes. This only applies
+# if $VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR=true.
+#
+# See https://vt100.net/docs/vt510-rm/DECSCUSR for cursor styles
+typeset -g VI_MODE_CURSOR_NORMAL=2
+typeset -g VI_MODE_CURSOR_VISUAL=6
+typeset -g VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT=6
+typeset -g VI_MODE_CURSOR_OPPEND=0
+
 typeset -g VI_KEYMAP=main
 
 function _vi-mode-set-cursor-shape-for-keymap() {
@@ -22,13 +31,13 @@ function _vi-mode-set-cursor-shape-for-keymap() {
   # https://vt100.net/docs/vt510-rm/DECSCUSR
   local _shape=0
   case "${1:-${VI_KEYMAP:-main}}" in
-    main)    _shape=6 ;; # vi insert: line
-    viins)   _shape=6 ;; # vi insert: line
-    isearch) _shape=6 ;; # inc search: line
-    command) _shape=6 ;; # read a command name
-    vicmd)   _shape=2 ;; # vi cmd: block
-    visual)  _shape=2 ;; # vi visual mode: block
-    viopp)   _shape=0 ;; # vi operation pending: blinking block
+    main)    _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT ;; # vi insert: line
+    viins)   _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT ;; # vi insert: line
+    isearch) _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT ;; # inc search: line
+    command) _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_INSERT ;; # read a command name
+    vicmd)   _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_NORMAL ;; # vi cmd: block
+    visual)  _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_VISUAL ;; # vi visual mode: block
+    viopp)   _shape=$VI_MODE_CURSOR_OPPEND ;; # vi operation pending: blinking block
     *)       _shape=0 ;;
   esac
   printf $'\e[%d q' "${_shape}"