I have a few monarda but not that particular cultivar (straight species fistulosa, didyma, and didyma cultivar Raspberry Wine I think). They've all spread to some extent...part of the mint family, so yeah, I'd expect some spreading with your selection.

The roots pull up easily and restraining it takes more persistence than muscle. The spreading can be a virtue in the right context, but since you don't want that, burying a garden pot is a great idea.

A great many perennials spread with an underground root system and bee balm is one. But it is extremely manageable. If it starts spreading wider than desired, just sever the the outlying growth with your garden spade and remove. Or plant elsewhere or share with friends and neighbors.

Bee balm looks best if in a sizeable clump so I would not recommend sinking it in a pot.....unless the pot you use is large enough to allow for a decent spread. You don't want just one or two stems poking up but several dozen!!

Thank you!!

You should be fine. They don’t spread in an unmanageable way. To anyone getting started with bee balms - I cant say enough about spotted bee balm

Its a short (2 feet) plant with unique coloring, reliable long lasting flowers and feeds many pollinators https://duffymeadows.com/2019/10/09/spotted-bee-balm-good-for-bees-medicinal/

Bee balm is such a stunning flower and it has a shallow root system so they’re easy to yank out where you don’t want them. I highly suggest planting it in the ground!